Copenhagen: The sole men’s doubles representative of Malaysia, Hoon Thien How and Tan Wee Kiong crashed out in the quarter-finals of World Championships to 12th seeds Ko Sung-hyun-Shin Baek-cheol of South Korea 18-21, 13-21 on Friday at the Bellarup Super Arena.
Hoon/Tan has defeated the South Korea twice before – at the 2013 China Open and the 2014 German Open.
The 25-year-old Tan Wee Kiong said that he and Hoon only trained together for a short period of time before the world meet. He has previously partnered Goh V Shem to win the Commonwealth Games men’s doubles gold medal three weeks ago.
“The Korean obviously came prepared. We gave them too much opportunity at the front court, their ability to change tactics during the game was the key for their victory,” said Tan.
Thien How seemed very calm and settled after the match, maybe he already looking forward to his new partnership with Tan Boon Heong after the world meet.
“I have not fully recovered from yesterday’s intense game against the Japanese pair, I am much slower today,” admitted Hoon.
After the World Championships, Tan Wee Kiong will be teamed up with Goh V Shem, and Hoon Thien How will be paired up with his 2004 World Junior World Championships partner, Tan Boon Heong. The first outing for these new pairs will be the Asian Games in Incheon from Sept 19-Oct 4.
