Wei Chong and Kai Wun Reach Korea Open Semi-Finals After 26–24 Second-Game Battle
Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun moved into the men’s doubles semi-finals at the Korea Open on 6 November, defeating Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kenta Matsukawa 21–14, 26–24 in Yeosu.
Bernama reported that the third-seeded Malaysians completed the quarter-final in 36 minutes at Jinnam Stadium. The result keeps their title challenge alive after their French Open success last month and sets up a meeting with South Korea’s top seeds Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae.
Extra points needed to finish the contest
The opening game produced a seven-point margin, but the second was much closer. At 26–24, the Malaysians needed six points beyond the usual 20-all threshold before they could finish the match in straight games.
Closing out that game prevented the contest from going to a decider. The scoreline captures both the resistance from the Japanese pair and the importance of the final two-point separation.
Top seeds stand between Malaysia and the final
The next round presents a substantial challenge. Bernama’s report says Wei Chong and Kai Wun had not beaten Kim and Seo in six previous meetings.
That history provides context, but it does not decide the upcoming match. The Malaysian pair have earned another opportunity by progressing through their own section of the draw, and the semi-final will test whether their current form can change that sequence.
Recent success adds weight to the campaign
The French Open title gives the Malaysians a recent example of converting a strong tournament run into a trophy. Reaching the last four in Korea keeps that momentum going, although a semi-final appearance is still two wins away from another championship.
The contrast between the two quarter-final games also offers a useful reminder of the demands ahead: a clear opening advantage does not guarantee an equally comfortable finish.
Wei Chong and Kai Wun now turn from surviving a tight second game to preparing for the tournament’s leading seeds. Their place in the semi-finals is confirmed; a first win over the Korean partnership would send them into the final.
Image: illustrative indoor badminton scene from the HPW NEWS archive, 1024 × 576 pixels; not a photograph of this Korea Open match.