KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 16 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun need to address their inconsistency if they want to break into the top 10.
The Malaysian duo suffered a disappointing first-round exit at the Korea Open, falling 21-15, 21-19 to Korean veterans Kim Gi Jung-Kim Sa Rang in Seoul on Tuesday.
It marked their third consecutive loss to the Koreans — a disheartening result given that the former world No. 2 pair, while accomplished, are past their prime.
The defeat is a setback for Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who had raised expectations with their impressive runner-up finish at the Indonesia Open Super 1000 in June.
They showed promise again last week at the Japan Open, reaching the quarter-finals before succumbing to reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae in straight games.
Meanwhile, independent pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub advanced to the last 16 after overcoming Canada's Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman 21-19, 21-11.
The women's doubles saw a disappointing turn for Lim Chiew Sien-Lai Pei Jing.
The ad-hoc partnership, which surprisingly finished runners-up at the Australian Open in June, failed to replicate their success, falling 21-15, 21-11 to Taiwan's Sung Yu Hsuan-Wang Yu Qiao.