Malaysia have been left with no representatives in the ATP Malaysian Open currently going on in Kuala Lumpur after doubles pair Mohd Assri Merzuki and Syed Mohd Agil Syed Naguib were eliminated in the first round yesterday.
Mohd Assri-Syed Mohd Agil, who was given the wild card entry, fought hard enough but eventually admitted defeat to Mexican Santiago Gonzalez and German Philipp Petzschner 5-7 2-6 in over an hour.
“We played well in the first set, but luck was not on our side in the second game. We tried our best and the crowd’s reception certainly gave us more confidence,” said Syed Mohd Agil, as quoted by Harian Metro.
It has not been a tournament to remember for Syed Mohd Agil, though, with the loss yesterday adding to his earlier exit in the men singles round. Other Malaysian participants were also eliminated early in their respective categories.
WHAT DO WE THINK?
It was always going to be a tough task for the Malaysian duo. Tennis isn’t exactly a glowing sport in this country, and expectations need to managed carefully as well. But the wildcard entry was a golden opportunity to test themselves against better players and to be fair, they did a decent job at pushing the Mexican pair in the first set, before losing 7-5. Syed Argil will be frustrated with himself, having also lost the singles bout in the first round of qualifying, but the only thing both men can do at this point, is pick their pieces up and move on to the next tournament.
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