PETALING JAYA: Veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah suffered a shocking first round defeat at the Danish Open in Odense on Wednesday.
The World Championships bronze medallists went down 21-23, 21-13, 17-21 to Americans Howard Bach-Malaythong Bob Khan.
Tan Fook was singled out as the culprit with national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky saying that he was disappointed with Tan Fook for underestimating their unseeded opponents in the ninth leg of the Super Series.
Rexy added that the duo's inconsistent performances could derail them in their bid to qualify for next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
“I received reports from Pang (Cheh Chang) that they played like a young and inexperienced pair.
“Tan Fook was not focused at all,” said Rexy.
“Tan Fook took his opponents lightly.
“And when they (the Americans) piled up the pressure, he could not play his game.
“If he (Tan Fook) continues to play inconsistently, the other Malaysian pairs may overtake them in the fight for a place in the Olympic Games. They may lose a spot because of their own doing,” said Rexy.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah are now ranked sixth in the world. The other Malaysians hoping to overtake them are Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
With Tan Fook-Wan Wah out, Malaysia are now banking on Macau Open champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to win the men's doubles crown.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong reached the second round after a 21-14, 21-15 win over Hendri Kurniawan Saputra-Hendra Wijaya of Singapore.
The world number one pair next face Hendra Gunawan-Joko Riyadi of Indonesia.
In the men's singles, national number one Lee Chong Wei got off to a convincing start when he disposed of Denmark's Peter Mikkelsen 21-15, 21-13 to set-up a second round meeting with Poland's Przemyslaw Wacha.
It was, however, the end of the road for Yeoh Kay Bin when he crashed out 17-21, 12-21 to Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark in the opening round.
