KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Haikal Nazri produced a spirited performance in their first-round defeat at the Hanoi Sea Games today.
The world No 80 gave reigning Asian champions Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan of Indonesia a scare before losing 21-13, 17-21, 21-14 in 47 minutes.
Haikal-Arif's elimination ended Malaysia's hopes of securing a medal in the event.
Compatriots and third seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were forced to withdraw following the former's left knee injury, sustained during the men's team final against Thailand on Wednesday.
"It is a sad Sea Games debut for us. We didn't see this coming," said Kai Wun.
"I am also struggling from an ankle injury. Let's hope Wei Chong's injury is not that bad. I hope he recovers as soon as possible."
In the women's singles, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman got off to a winning start by beating Singapore's Jaslyn Hooi 21-19, 21-11.
She plays Thailand's top seed Pornpawee Chochuwong in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
In the mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei faced little resistance from their respective opponents from Laos on their way to the last eight.
Pang Ron-Yee See outplayed Daomixay Vorlasing-Vilakone Kommanvanh 21-7, 21-7 while Tang Jie-Yen Wei made short work of Vannthoun Vath-Sok Somalyta 21-5, 21-9.
The mixed doubles event is now the country's best bet of meeting the one-gold target.
SELECTED RESULTS
FIRST ROUND
* Malaysians unless stated
Men's singles: Lee Shun Yang bt Phonesack Sokthavy (Lao) 21-5, 21-4; Loh Kean Yew (Sin) bt Jacky Kok 18-21, 21-15, 21-11;
Doubles: Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan (Ina) bt Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Haikal Nazri 21-13, 17-21, 21-14; Do Tuan Duc-Pham Hong Nam (Vie) w/o Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun;
Women's singles: Siti Nurshuhaini Azman bt Jaslyn Hooi (Sin) 21-19, 21-11; Mikaela Joy De Guzman (Phi) bt Loh Zhi Wei 21-14, 21-17;
Doubles: Cheah Yee See-Cheng Su Hui bt Pham Thi Khanh-Than Van Anh (Vie) 21-17, 13-21, 21-14; Insyirah Khan-Bernice Lim (Sin) bt Go Pei Kee-Yap Ling 10-21, 21-14, 21-18;
Mixed doubles: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See bt Daomixay Vorlasing-Vilakone Kommanvanh (Lao) 21-7, 21-7; Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei bt Vannthoun Vath-Sok Somalyta (Lao) 21-5, 21-9.