KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttlers, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, received a big dose of confidence today.
The struggling men's pair checked into the second round of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan by defeating compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun 21-16, 21-7.
Coach Rosman Razak said Yew Sin-Ee Yi must stay patient because of the "slow shuttle" at the venue.
"For this tournament, the shuttle is very slow.
"The key is managing the defence, and I think Yew Sin-Ee Yi did very well.
"Their counterattack was also good, so in that aspect, Yew Sin-Ee Yi did better than Wei Chong-Kai Wun," said Rosman.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who have dropped out of the world's top 10, will next play the winners of the match between Thailand's Pharanyu Kaosamaang-Worrapol Thongsa Nga and China's Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi.
Two other Malaysian men's doubles — former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani — will play in the first round today.
World No 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik will meet Olympic gold medallists Lee Yang-Wang Chi Lin of Taiwan, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin face Indonesian duo Rahmat Hidayat-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
Meanwhile, KL Masters champion Leong Jun Hao failed to clear the qualifying rounds.
After winning his first match 21-7, 21-13 against Australia's Takeru Kai, Jun Hao fell 23-21, 21-16 to Japan's Takuma Obayashi in the second.