PETALING JAYA: A lack of focus during crucial moments put paid to men’s singles shuttler Cheam June Wei’s hopes of winning his maiden World Tour title in the Taiwan Masters.
World No. 61 June Wei had to settle for runner-up spot again after going down 15-21, 12-21 to world No. 31 and homester Lee Chia-hao yesterday.
The independent player’s coach and former international Ong Ewe Hock, who could not follow his charge to the tournament due to budget constraints, believed that the 27-year-old struggled to maintain his concentration in the match.
“June Wei was doing okay until the 15th point, then he lost focus and it cost him the first game. It was similar in the second,” said Ewe Hock.
“It’s not easy for him to play in a big stadium without a coach to guide him against the opponent, who had the backing of the home crowd. I could not follow him to the tournament due to budget constraints. He needs to accept this defeat and improve, moving forward.”
Ewe Hock though was satisfied with June Wei’s overall showing in the tournament after seeing his charge reach his first final since coming second to fellow Malaysian Leong Jun Hao in the 2022 Indonesian Masters.
“Overall, it’s still a good effort from June Wei as he played quite well from the first round up to the final,” said Ewe Hock.
Ewe Hock had helped June Wei revive his career after the latter went through a tough time without a sponsor last year.
June Wei’s perseverance also paid off when he was part of the Thomas Cup squad that won bronze in Chengdu last month.
Meanwhile, it was joy for Chia-hao, who captured his first World Tour title.
The 25-year-old’s previous best achievement was finishing runners-up to Jun Hao in the KL Masters last year. Men’s singles: Lee Chia-hao (Tpe) bt Cheam June Wei (Mas) 21-15, 21-12.
Men’s doubles: Chang Ko-chi-Chen Xin-yuan (Tpe) bt Chen Zhi-ray-Lin Yu-chieh (Tpe) 19-21, 21-16, 22-20.
Women’s singles: Wen Chi-hsu (Tpe) bt Pai Yu-po (Tpe) 22-20, 21-18.
Women’s doubles: Jesita Putri-Febi Setianingrum (Ina) bt Sung Shuo-yun-Yu Chien-hui (Tpe) 21-14, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat (Tha) bt Yang Po-hsuan-Hu Ling-fang (Tpe) 21-18, 21-13.
