KUALA LUMPUR: Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong reached the last-16 of the men's doubles at the Malaysia Open after a thrilling victory over China's Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han.
The Malaysian duo maintained their composure to secure a 21-15, 12-21, 21-18 win.
Having paired up in June 2023, Azriyn-Wee Kiong enjoyed their best result in 2024 with a semi-final finish at the Kumamoto Masters.
They also showed considerable promise last year, reaching the semi-finals at the Kaohsiung Masters, Macau Open, and Indonesia Masters.
Next, they will face India's world No. 9 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, who defeated Taiwan's world No. 43 pair Ming Che Lu-Tang Kai-Wei 21-10, 16-21, 21-5.
Ranked 32nd in the world, Azriyn-Wee Kiong join six other Malaysian pairs in the second round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Malaysia will have four pairs in the men's doubles last 16, alongside the world No. 6 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 24 pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, and world No. 14 pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
The other Malaysians through to the next round are mixed doubles pairs Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai, as well as the women's doubles duo Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien.