Better luck next time: Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen shaking hands with Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu after winning the first-round match. — Reuters
PETALING JAYA: It’s a good start but there is still a long way to go.
That’s national men’s singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann reminder to debutant Ng Tze Yong after his impressive first-round win in the All-England.
The world No. 28 showed no sign of nerves as he sent Indonesia’s world No. 26 Shesar Hiren packing with a 21-9, 21-12 win in just 36 minutes at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Tuesday.
While pleased with his charge’s strong showing, Choong Hann does not want Tze Yong to get carried away.
“This is a good win for Tze Yong in his All-England debut,” said Choong Hann.
“But we don’t want to get too excited as there are still more matches for him.
“We also can’t fully gauge his progress as it’s still too early to conclude anything.”
Choong Hann’s caution is understandable as Tze Yong faces a tough hurdle in the form of Denmark’s world No. 1 and defending champion Viktor Axelsen in the second round today.
The Dane overcame a first game wobble to beat Hong Kong’s world No. 21 Lee Cheuk Yiu 19-21, 21-15, 21-11 in his opening match.
Tze Yong has his work cut out for him as Axelsen has set his sights on capturing what will be his third All-England crown.
The reigning world and Olympics champion had last triumphed in 2020.
“The All-England is the most legendary tournament there is and I had been dreaming of winning it for a long time,” said Axelsen in a post-match interview with Badminton Europe.
“To have won it twice is like two dreams coming true for me.
“I’m going for the win again this year but I’m really rational about everything and I know it’s really tough to win here.
“So, I’ll take it one step at a time.”
For the record, this will be the first meeting between Axelsen and Tze Yong on the international stage.
Meanwhile, independent men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi brought further joy to Malaysia when they pulled the rug from under Taiwan’s reigning Olympic champions Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin in their first-round match.
World No. 8 Yew Sin-Ee Yi showed great determination and fighting spirit to come from behind to chalk up a 12-21, 21-16, 21-18 victory over the Taiwanese pair.
It was the Malaysian duo’s third straight win over Lee Yang and Chi-lin after also coming out on top in last year’s Malaysian Open and the 2021 World Championships.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, though, have a tricky task next against Indonesia’s defending champions and world No. 12 Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana.
Shohibul and Bagas hold a slight advantage on head-to-head records as they beat Yew Sin-Ee Yi in their only encounter so far on the same stage last year.
