KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Ng Tze Yong continued to struggle with inconsistency, losing 18-21, 21-11, 22-20 to Indonesia's Shesar Hiren Rhustavito in the second round of the China Open in Changzhou today.
The world No. 22 uncharacteristically squandered four match points in the deciding game, eventually succumbing to his world No. 45 opponent in 74 minutes.
The loss was particularly hard to take, given that Tze Yong had maintained a comfortable lead in the early part of the deciding game, boasting a 15-8 advantage at one point.
Entering the match, Tze Yong was the favourite, having previously beaten Shesar at the All England in March.
Unfortunately, Tze Yong failed to capitalise on his victory over World Championships bronze medallist, H.S. Prannoy of India earlier this week.
However, in the mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing brought some good news, both advancing to the quarter-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei secured an impressive 21-15, 15-21, 21-18 victory over South Korean sixth seeds Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun, while Kian Meng-Pei Jing came out on top, 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 against former All England champions Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti of Indonesia.
This victory was particularly significant for Kian Meng-Pei Jing, marking the first time they have reached the quarter-finals in a tournament this year.