None of the local players won their first round qualifying match at the Malaysian Open yesterday.
Si Yew Ming, the national champion, played respectable tennis but still lost 6-4, 6-2 to World No 558 Stanislav Poplavskyy.
"I did not play well....my returns were bad," said Yew Ming, the undisputed national No 1.
Compatriot Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam fizzled out after a good opening set in his 6-4, 6-0 defeat to China’s 399 Ze Zhang.
Ahmad Deedat Abdul Razak and Wan Abdul Muiz Wan Abdul Aziz were also outclassed by experienced opponents.
"We need to play more tennis outside the country....training alone at home will not help in the personal growth of a tennis player," added Yew Ming.
* National champion Syed Agil Syed Naguib along with Malaysia Games winner Khoo Er Yang and runner-up Juan Los Santos should have played in the Malaysian Open. Why weren't they picked.....head down to Jalan Duta for a chat with celebrity DJ-cum-soon to be secretary Ibrahim Abu Bakar....
