Yew Sin-Ee Yi vow to bounce back after first-round exit

ODENSE: Disappointment was written all over the faces of Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi after losing in the first round of the men’s doubles at the Danisa Denmark Open.

But the immensely talented duo are not giving up in their bid to end the year as the top-15 pair in the world.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi went down fighting to Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan 19-21, 21-11, 16-21 in a 52-minute match yesterday.

The Malaysians were slow off the starting block but did well towards the end but it was too late to overcome an equally determined Hoki-Kobayashi. It was the first meeting between the two pairs.

The 25-year-old Ee Yi admitted they could have played better.

“There were several silly mistakes, Yew Sin and I struggled to hit form. We eventually warmed up but it was a little too late. The Japanese played well,” said Ee Yi.

Ee Yi and Yew Sin started the year with a mission to end the season as the top-15 pair in the world but are now lying in 25th position.

The other two Malaysian pairs ahead of them are 2016 champi- ons Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (12th) and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (23rd).

Yew Sin promised to bounce back at next week’s French Open in Paris.

“Besides the French Open, we will also compete in the Hong Kong and India Opens. We need strong finishes in these tournaments to break into the top 15,” said Yew Sin.

“Ee Yi and I are able to complement each other well but we need to be more consistent,” he said.

The 23-year-old Yew Sin said their good run was halted when he was separated from Ee Yi temporarily this year. They were ranked 17th in the world in May.

“But it’s good to be back with Ee Yi again and try to establish our partnership,” said Yew Sin.

“Malaysia have quality pairs. We are not far from other pairs and I’m confident we can catch up,” added Yew Sin, who trains under head coach Paulus Firman.

It was also all over for Malaysia in the women’s doubles when Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean fell to a limp 13-21, 11-21 defeat to Ni Ketut Mahadewi Istarani-Rizki Amelia Pradipta of Indonesia in just 29 minutes in the first round.