Yap Roy King was content with his and Junaidi Arif’s performance despite the pair losing in a closely contested men’s doubles final at the Spain Masters against Sabar-Karyaman-Moh Reza Pahlevi on Sunday.
Yap-Junaidi battled for 52-minutes before losing 18-21, 21-17, 19-21 against the Indonesians, in what looked to be a heartbreaking defeat after pushing their opponents to the wire.
But Yap chose to look at the positives of the pair’s run in this Super 300 event which saw them exceed expectations to reach the final.
“Reaching the final itself is a confidence booster for us, as this is only my second tournament after returning from injury.
“It shows that we can compete against higher ranking players, and that gives us real confidence. As for the final itself, our opponents were more confident than us. They had quality and speed and executed their strategy well,” said Yap.
The 23-year-old was grateful to reach the final after only just returning from a three-month knee injury setback, with the Spain Masters only the pair’s second tournament of the year after the Swiss Open.
Overall, it has been a good few weeks for the Malaysian doubles’ pairs competing on the World Tour.
Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri won the Orleans Masters men’s doubles title last month, before Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik finished as All-England runners-up after that.
Last week, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai won the Swiss Open mixed doubles crown, before Yap-Junaidi earned their silver medal in Spain.
Henry Larsson
Mon Apr 01 2024
Piala Thomas: Malaysia muncul naib juara Kumpulan D
Malaysia melolosi Kumpulan D Piala Thomas selaku naib juara apabila tunduk 2-3 kepada Denmark, sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Aaron-Wooi Yik sumbang mata ikat Denmark
Beregu negara, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, mengetepikan cabaran Kim Astrup-Anders Rasmussen dengan kebangkitan sempurna untuk mengikat Denmark 1-1 dalam perlawanan terakhir Kumpulan D Piala Thomas, sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Axelsen sekat hajat Zii Jia untuk mata pertama Denmark
Malaysia mengatur langkah tempang apabila taruhan pertama negara dalam Piala Thomas, Lee Zii Jia, tumpas kepada Viktor Axelsen, sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Zii Jia ketuai barisan terbaik Malaysia hadapi Denmark
Saingan peringkat kumpulan Piala Thomas hari ini menyaksikan skuad negara akan membuat perhitungan berdepan pasukan Denmark bagi menentukan juara Kumpulan D.
Piala Uber: Cabaran Malaysia terhenti
Skuad Piala Uber negara terpaksa akur selepas tewas 5-0 berdepan Thailand dalam perlawanan kedua Kumpulan D di Pusat Sukan Hi-Tech Zone, sebentar tadi.
Piala Uber: Pornpawee hantar Malaysia pulang awal
Pemain perseorangan wanita kedua negara, Wong Ling Ching, tidak berjaya mencuri mata selepas tewas kepada wakil Thailand, Pornpawee Chochuwong, di Pusat Sukan Hi-Tech Zone, sebentar tadi.
Piala Uber: Beregu negara terpaksa akur kemampuan wakil Thailand
Beregu wanita negara, Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing gagal melakar kejutan untuk meraih mata pertama ketika aksi bertemu Thailand dalam Piala Uber sebentar tadi.
Piala Uber: Letshanaa beri Thailand mata pertama
Pemain perseorangan wanita negara, Karupathevan Letshanaa, tidak berjaya menyumbangkan mata pertama buat Malaysia selepas tewas berdepan lawan dari Thailand, Supanida Katethong, sebentar tadi.
Piala Thomas: Zii Jia jadikan aksi bertemu Viktor Axelsen penanda aras
Pemain perseorangan lelaki negara, Lee Zii Jia, cemerlang menyumbangkan mata dalam perlawanan menentang Algeria dengan menewaskan pemain di ranking 222 dunia, Adel Hamek, dalam saingan Piala Thomas 2024, hari ini.
Piala Thomas: Izzuddin-Soh Wooi Yik pastikan Malaysia layak ke peringkat seterusnya
Gandingan baru, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Soh Wooi Yik melengkapkan aksi kelima dengan kemenangan bergaya menentang Kocella Mammeri dan Youcef Sabri dalam saingan Piala Thomas sebentar tadi.
Courtois ruled out of Euro 2024 despite Real Madrid return
Courtois out of Euro 2024
Alcaraz matches Nadal record as reigning champion scrapes into Madrid Open quarters
Alcaraz into Madrid Open QFs
Vlaar: Slot is the right fit for Liverpool
Vlar: Slot right for Liverpool
Swiatek battles back to reach Madrid Open semi-finals
Swiatek battles back
Liverpool v Chelsea: Hayes' WSL title-chasers 'playing catch-up'
Emma Hayes does not fancy Chelsea's WSL title chances, but the Blues will do their best to stay in the race when they face Liverpool.
Thomas Cup: Malaysia finish group runner-up after Denmark loss
Malaysia finished second in Group D of the Thomas Cup after a narrow 3-2 defeat against Denmark in their final match on Tuesday.
Former Spain boss Del Bosque to oversee RFEF
The Spanish government has brought in Vicente del Bosque to oversee a turbulent time for the country's football federation.
Celtics mindset needed to change after Porzingis injury - Horford
The Boston Celtics cruised to a 3-1 series lead over the Miami Heat but suffered a costly injury midway through Game 4.
Borussia Dortmund receive injury boosts ahead of Champions League semi-final
Borussia Dortmund meet Paris Saint-Germain for the third time in the Champions League this season and are able to welcome back key stars.
'I'll support whatever he decides' - Davis backs LeBron James ahead of decision on NBA future
Davis supports James after loss