BANGKOK: Men's singles Ng Tze Yong failed to exact revenge on Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu as his gallant run at the Thailand Open ended in the quarter-finals today.
The world No 24 Tze Yong went down 21-19, 23-21 to Cheuk Yiu for his second defeat in as many tournaments after losing to the world No 17 at the Asia Championships in Dubai five weeks ago.
A day after he pulled off an incredible come-from-behind win over top seed Chou Tien Chen, Tze Yong was given a taste of his own medicine by Cheuk Yiu as he squandered a commanding lead in both games.
Tze Yong was unable to take advantage of his 13-7 in the first game. The same happened again in the second as he shockingly allowed Cheuk Yiu to claw back from 14-5 down to seal the victory in straight games.
It was Tze Yong's fourth quarter-final appearance on the World Tour this season. He has not reached the semi-finals of a Super 500 event since the India Open last year.
Tze Yong will now turn his attention to the Singapore Open next week.
It was the end of the road too for Leong Jun Hao. The 23-year-old was knocked out by India's Thomas Cup hero Lakhsya Sen.
Jun Hao blew a 16-10 lead in the opening game en route to a 21-19, 21-11 defeat to his 21-year-old rival.
Still, it was a creditable result by Jun Hao after fighting his way to the last eight from the qualifiers.
Jun Hao, a bronze medallist at the Phnom Penh Sea Games last month, will take a three-week break before resuming action at the Taiwan Open on June 20-25.