Ng Tze Yong crashed out of the Thailand Masters quarter-finals at the hands of Angus Ng Ka Long on Friday to leave the Malaysian contingent empty-handed in this competition for the first time in three years.
This Super 300 event was making a return for the first time since 2020, and there was some optimism that the Malaysian shuttlers would make an impact in Bangkok.
Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi had all won in their respective categories from 2018 to 2020, and hopes were on Tze Yong to at least create an upset against Angus.
But the Hong Kong veteran ousted the Malaysian 21-14, 22-20 to book his second consecutive semi-finals berth.
The world number 29’s exit also meant Malaysia was still without a BWF World Tour winner so far this year, beginning with the Malaysia Open.
Only Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made the final of the India Open before losing to Chinese pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang.
The national shuttlers next gather to do battle at the Asia Mixed Team Championships taking place in Dubai from February 14-19.
Ng, however, was not included in the squad as Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao were selected as the country's representatives for the men’s singles event.
