Wei Chong-Kai Wun overpower Popov brothers in New Delhi

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 6 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun ensured Malaysia remained well represented in the quarter-finals of the India Open after subduing the Popov brothers, Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov, in a hard-fought last-16 encounter on Thursday.

Wei Chong-Kai Wun battled past the world No. 24 French pair 13-21, 21-12, 21-14 to join world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, sparing Malaysia the embarrassment of a thin men's doubles presence this week despite fielding nine pairs in the 32-pair main draw.

The scenario mirrored last week's Malaysia Open, where Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Aaron-Wooi Yik were also the only two pairs to reach the quarter-finals from a seven-strong Malaysian contingent, with the latter going on to finish runners-up.

Wei Chong-Kai Wun now face a daunting task against China's world No. 5 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang.

The Malaysians will need to raise their level significantly if they are to stand a chance against the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallists, having lost all five of their previous encounters with the Chinese pair.

Their gruelling battle against the Popov brothers also served as a timely wake-up call.

While the Frenchmen are formidable opponents, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will be aware that they enjoyed a physical edge, with both Christo and Toma Junior also competing in the men's singles event.

Christo, the reigning World Tour Finals champion, had earlier endured a 66-minute three-game battle to beat India's K. Srikanth in the singles.

Still, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will be eager to build on their strong run in New Delhi, having earlier broken their India Open jinx by winning a first-round match here for the first time since making their debut in 2023.