Chun Seang gets chance to make amends in Alor Star
PETALING JAYA: Top back-up men's singles shuttler Tan Chun Seang has a shot for redemption at the Rakan Muda Yonex Sunrise Malaysia International Challenge, which begins today at the KBA Badminton Hall in Alor Star.
The 20-year-old Chun Seang, who is eyeing a third satellite title after winning the Vietnam International Challenge (May) and the Asian Satellite (June), is the second seed behind KLRC Bhd's Sairul Amar Ayob.
Just last week, he failed to live up to expectations, losing to compatriot Chong Li Qun in the second round of the Vietnam Open.
The shock defeat put him in a bad light ahead of his challenges in his first major international tournament – the SEA Games in Korat next month where he will feature in both the team and individual events.
From the draw of the satellite tournament in Alor Star, Chun Seang’s two main challengers for a place in the final will be team-mates Lim Kenn (third seed) and Chong Wei Feng (10th).
The fight in the other half of the draw will be more challenging with Sairul, Chan Kwong Beng, Kuan Beng Hong, Li Qun and Thailand's top junior Tanongsak Saensomboonsul vying for honours.
The SEA Games-bound men's pairs of Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui and Mohd Razif Abdul Latif-Khoo Chung Chiat will also be out to redeem themselves too after uninspiring performances in the Vietnam Open.
Barring upsets, one of these pairs are expected to take on top seeds Alroy Tanama Putra-Ho Hui Wai of Hong Kong in the final.