[UPDATED] S. Korean duo end Wei Chong-Kai Wun’s spectacular Masters run 

KUALA LUMPUR – They may have not won the title, but national men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun made Malaysia proud even though they lost the 2023 Malaysia Masters final to South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae 21-15, 22-24, 21-19 today. 

Playing in their first ever Super 500 tournament finals, the 26th seed Malaysians trailed in the first set against their world number 16 opponents. 

It was a much closer affair in the second set as Wei Chong-Kai Wun were not going to let their chance of winning slip away, fighting back from a 19-13 deficit to force the rubber set. 

But it was not enough to topple the South Koreans as they fought hard and sealed the championship win in an hour and 19 minutes. 

Malaysia is still waiting for another men’s doubles champion at the Masters since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah won the 2013 edition.

Although they were disappointed with the loss, Wei Chong and Kai Wun said they still gained valuable experience during their run at the Super 500 tournament. 

“Yes, we are sad, because the match was very close in the end, but it was a good experience for us. 

“We played well in the third set as we were leading into the interval, but failed to hold the points well after that, allowing them to catch up.

“We’re also happy because this is the first major tournament we are competing in since our injuries in February, forcing us to skip many tournaments in between,” said the Melaka-born shuttlers. 

Speaking on their overall performance this week, the pair are confident they can take on higher ranked opponents. 

“We now know that our level isn’t too far off the top 10 ranked players, and we know we can win against them. We just need to be on form,” they said. 

Wei Chong-Kai Wun defeated ninth ranked Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin yesterday in the semifinals, following their quarterfinals win against sixth seed Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan. 

Meanwhile, India’s H. S. Prannoy won his first BWF World Tour title after the 31-year-old shuttler defeated China’s Weng Hong Yang 21-19, 13-21, 21-18 in the men’s singles event. – The Vibes, May 28, 2023