Horror show from Malaysian singles at Korea Masters

The biggest disappointment was world No. 37 Justin Hoh, who failed to justify his fifth seeding after a tame 21-10, 21-16 defeat to Japan's world No. 67 Yudai Okimoto.

For a player touted as one of the country's brightest prospects, Justin's latest setback raises serious questions about his form and mentality ahead of the Thailand SEA Games next month.

Since finishing runner-up at the Macau Open in July, the 21-year-old has struggled to make any meaningful impact — crashing out early at the Al Ain Masters (UAE) and Malaysia Super 100 tournaments.

While Justin continues to drift, his 20-year-old Indonesian peer Alwi Farhan, who beat him in the Macau final, has surged up the ladder — now sitting at world No. 17 and consistently reaching the quarter-finals or better in Super 500 events and above.

Professional trio Jacky Kok, Cheam June Wei and Aidil Sholeh also bowed out early.

Jacky went down 21-11, 21-19 to Japan's Shogo Ogawa, while June Wei squandered a one-game lead before losing 14-21, 21-11, 21-18 to Taiwan's Ting Yen Chen.

Aidil, meanwhile, had no answers for home shuttler Cho Geong Yeop, falling 21-13, 21-10.

There was no consolation in the women's camp either, with Sea Games-bound Siti Zulaikha Azmi and Wong Ling Ching both failing at the first hurdle.

Siti stretched Taiwan's Tung Ciou Tong to three games before losing 21-13, 11-21, 21-17, while Ling Ching was beaten 21-19, 21-13 by Thai rising star Pitchamom Opatniputh.

Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei also found Taiwan's Chiu Pin Chian too tough to handle, going down 21-17, 21-16 — wrapping up a fruitless campaign for Malaysia.

Her experimental outing in the mixed doubles with Ng Eng Cheong on Tuesday had also ended in defeat.