KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's challenge in the French Open mixed doubles came to a disappointing end with both pairs, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, ousted in the last 16 on Thursday.
There was no happy return to France for world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who won the Orleans Masters in April, as they lost 21-15, 21-19 to Hong Kong's Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau at the Glaz Arena in Rennes.
It was Tang Jie-Ee Wei's first defeat to the world No. 24 in three meetings. At the World Championships in Copenhagen two months ago, the Malaysians were triumphant in straight games.
Reginald-Tsz Yau had earlier proved that they have the form to contend this week by stunning home favourites and world No. 8 Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in the first round.
It was also the end of the road for independents Soon Huat-Shevon, who battled Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet valiantly before going down 22-20, 19-21, 21-13. It was their eighth defeat to the experienced Hong Kongers.
Singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is the remaining Malaysian in today's quarter-finals and he will take on reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
World No. 18 Tze Yong lost both of his encounters to the Thai ace with the latest being at the Singapore Open where he was defeated in three games.
Kunlavut advanced by thumping Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen 21-8, 21-19.