KUALA LUMPUR: An old master, a new partner. And it is already a smashing act.
Taiwan's double Olympic gold medallist Wang Chi Lin and his new sidekick, Chiu Hsiang Chieh, sensationally stunned Denmark's world No. 1 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-16, 18-21, 22-20 in the first round of the Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena on Tuesday.
Chi Lin, 29, said they are happy to open the new season with a victory over the Danish duo who won the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last month.
He found a new partner in the 22-year-old Hsiang Chieh, after a long and successful career with Lee Yang, where they became the first men's doubles to successfully defend their Olympic title by winning gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
"He is very young, so his speed and power are really good. Now, with my new partner, I have the option of moving to the front court more," Chi Lin said.
"Before this, with Lee Yang, I was at the backcourt smashing a lot, but now I can go to the front and set Hsiang Chieh up for him to use his speed and power for smashes.
"It is exciting to play with someone new. I can try a new playing style on the court. I don't think it is difficult to change to a new partner and I enjoy it.
"We would like to get into the world top 10 and we hope to get into the next Asian Games and Olympics," said Chi Lin.