KUALA LUMPUR: Seasoned campaigners Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi showed they're ready to put their disappointment of missing out on Paris Olympics qualification behind them by notching their first match win in six months at the Japan Open today.
The Malaysian professional duo, returning to action for the first time since they last competed in the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, easily dispatched Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard 21-14, 21-13 to reach the second round of the Super 750 tournament in Kanagawa.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi's hiatus followed their 14th-place finish in the Race to Paris standings, raising questions about their partnership's future. Olympic qualification rules allow a country two pairs only if both rank in the top eight.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, qualifying fifth, became Malaysia's sole representatives and defended their bronze medal.
Since reaching the German Open semi-finals in March, Yew Sin-Ee Yi have struggled, suffering first-round exits in the All England, French Open, and Asian Championships between March and April.
However, at 31 and 29 respectively, Yew Sin-Ee Yi still have time to target the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
As one of Malaysia's top men's doubles pairs and fan favourites, they remain marketable and potentially sponsorship-worthy.
Currently ranked 20th, they face stiff competition from compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (12th), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (17th), Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (19th), and Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (32nd).
Yew Sin-Ee Yi will get to prove a point when they clash with Wei Chong-Kai Wun for a place in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, fresh from their runners-up finish at June's Indonesia Open Super 1000, dominated their opening match against Taiwan's Lin Bing Wei-Su Ching Heng 21-10, 21-7.
In mixed doubles, husband-wife duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai exited early, losing 21-12, 21-18 to China's rising stars Cheng Xing-Zhang Qi.