KUALA LUMPUR: Goh V Shem and Low Juan Shen conceded a walkover to Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the men's doubles second round of the Malaysia Masters today after the former tested positive for Covid-19.
V Shem-Jun Shen made headlines on Tuesday when they stunned All England champions Bagas Maulana-Muhammad Shobihul Fikri of Indonesia in the first round at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Although upset, the outcome of the Covid-19 test did not surprise V Shem as he was a close contact to training mates Ong Yew Sin, Lai Pei Jing and coach Chin Eei Hui, who all tested positive on Monday.
"I have been doing the self-test daily, knowing that I was a close contact to Yew Sin and the others. In the morning, my result returned negative," said V Shem today.
"But before leaving for the venue (Axiata Arena), I decided to do another test because I was coughing and my throat felt sore. I didn't want to take any chances. True enough, the test kit showed two lines."
V Shem is hopeful that he will recover in time for the Singapore Open next week.
"The Singapore Open will be our last tournament as a pair. We hope to end our brief partnership on a high note," said V Shem, who will forge a new partnership with Lim Khim Wah starting from the Taiwan Open later this month.
V Shem-Juan Shen became the third player or pair to withdraw from the Malaysia Masters due to Covid-19.
On Wednesday, Thai singles ace Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Japanese mixed doubles pair Kyohei Yamashita-Naru Shinoya also pulled out from their matches for the same reason.