KUALA LUMPUR: Gone are the days when Malaysian shuttlers used to walk over their Singapore counterparts in badminton.
At the Singapore Open today, world No 90 Jason Teh sent a warning across the Straits that the recent breakthroughs by his counterparts Loh Kean Yew (men's singles), Yeo Jia Min (women's singles), Terry Hee, Loh Kean Hean and Tan Wei Han (doubles) were just the tip of the iceberg.
Jason, 21, secured a main-draw spot with one of the sport's greatest comebacks in recent times. The Singaporean bounced back from 20-13 down in the rubber game to beat Malaysia's Cheam June Wei 27-29, 21-19, 23-21 in a nail-biting 74-minute contest.
What made Jason's feat even more amazing was he clinched the victory barely three hours after outlasting Denmark's Victor Svendsen 24-26, 21-18, 21-14 in a gruelling 67-minute battle in the first qualifying round match.
By making it through the qualifiers, Jason has become only the third home shuttler to feature in the Singapore Open men's singles main draw in over a decade after Derek Wong and Kean Yew.
Jason will meet Indonesian veteran Tommy Sugiarto, the 2013 winner, today.
"I am beyond delighted. There are no words to describe my feeling," Jason told the Singaporean media yesterday.
"When I was trailing 20-13, I didn't think too much about the outcome, and I just went for point after point.
"I'm happy to get this win. It is a breakthrough for me (to reach the Singapore Open main draw), and it definitely feels special. I will try my best to challenge my next opponent, and hopefully, it will turn out to be my way tomorrow."
Home pair Andy Kwek-Jason Wong inflicted more pain on Malaysia when they defeated Yap Roy King-Chang Yee Jun 24-22, 12-21, 21-19 in the men's doubles qualifiers.