KUALA LUMPUR: Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong believe they can hold their own against the world's top-10 pairs next year following their remarkable run at the Kumamoto Masters in Japan.
Although the world No. 40 lost 21-12, 21-15 in 33 minutes to former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in today's semi-finals, their performances throughout the Super 500 event have turned heads.
The independent pair, who paired up in January, train without a coach and rely entirely on self-funding for tournaments and preparation.
Despite these challenges, their progress has been nothing short of inspiring.Wee Kiong, 35, who famously won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Goh V Shem, is confident about their ability to compete against the elite.
"We can beat the world's top-10 pairs, but we have to continue improving and preparing harder," said Wee Kiong. "Staying injury-free is also important since we are not young anymore."
Before aiming for consistent wins against the top-10 pairs, Azriyn-Wee Kiong's immediate goal is to break into the top 32 in the world rankings, allowing them to compete in higher-tier tournaments.
They will next compete at the China Masters next week.
"We have to accept that we lost to a stronger pair," said Wee Kiong of their defeat to Hoki-Kobayashi.
"But our overall performance here has been the best for us on the World Tour this year, and we are happy with the progress.
"We'll prepare for the China Masters next week and focus match by match. We just hope to get a good result there."
In the China Masters, Azriyn-Wee Kiong will face world No. 29 Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul of Thailand in the first round.
A victory could set up a second-round clash against compatriots and world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.