KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s hopes of seeing its men’s singles represented in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Open crumbled after shuttler Ng Tze Yong succumbed to Japan’s rising star Kodai Naraoka in a game that ended in 1hr 32min.
In a thrilling clash, world number 25 Tze Yong started off well, controlling the first set and taking it 21-15.
The 22-year-old laid out his best strategy to put his opponent through the wringer, but seventh-ranked Naraoka deflected his attacks and patiently caught up point by point.
Tze Yong yielded in the second and third sets, 19-21, 15-21.
“This would be a valuable experience for me because this is only my first year of playing in a top tournament (Super 1000).
“So, I need to play in more tournaments like this to get more experience. It is the only way for me to be better,” he said after the match at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, today.
Meanwhile, coach Hendrawan echoed Tze Yong, saying that today’s match allowed Tze Yong to learn different game strategies.
“Tze Yong had an invaluable encounter today, but Kodai seemed better at attacking and strategising his moves.
“However, this is part of the process that he would have to go through, like any other player.
“It is positive progress. What happened today will only make him stronger. He could learn from Naraoka’s fighting spirit,” said the national singles coach.
The 21-year-old Naraoka also ended Lee Zii Jia’s tournament by beating the Malaysian in the first round yesterday.
In the women’s singles discipline, South Korea’s second seed An Se Young subdued Goh Jin Wei in 33 minutes, 21-10, 21-12. She will next meet China’s eighth seed Wang Zhi Yi in the quarter-finals. – The Vibes, January 12, 2023
