11 January, 2024
All three English pairs at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2024 were denied a place in the second round after their opening draws proved too much.
Ben Lane and Sean Vendy fell to reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae, losing 21-14 21-14 in a tough opening test at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.
Elsewhere, in the mixed doubles, Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith came from behind to go level with a 21-19 second-game win against Dejan Ferdinansyah and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
But it was not meant to be in the decider, as the Indonesian pair reversed Ellis and Smith’s second-game score to take a 21-11 19-21 21-19 victory overall.
Greg and Jenny Mairs also lost out in a decider after putting things level in their second game against Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie.
The English shuttlers lost 21-16 in the first game before pulling it back with a 21-15 score.
But their hopes of advancing in the next round were eventually downed in the third game, as they narrowly lost 21-16 15-21 21-17.
All focus turns to the YONEX Estonian International in Tallinn before attention switches to the YONEX Sunrise India Open, where all three pairs will be looking to gain points in search of Olympic qualification.
Images: Yves Lacroix via BADMINTON PHOTO
