Games

Tew Cheng Jie, Lai Chan Shen win Ang Pow Cup doubles 11-8,11-5

Tew Cheng Jie and Lai Chan Shen beat Wong Jian Tat and Mohd Nor Faeezam 11-8, 11-5 to claim the Ang Pow Cup men's doubles, a sign of rising competitive depth in Asian pickleball.

David Kumar2 min read
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Tew Cheng Jie, Lai Chan Shen win Ang Pow Cup doubles 11-8,11-5
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A decisive straight-games victory by Tew Cheng Jie and Lai Chan Shen capped the men's doubles draw at the ATP Ang Pow Cup, as the pair downed Team Dispicklebles' Wong Jian Tat and Mohd Nor Faeezam 11-8, 11-5. The scoreline reflected a close opening game followed by a second-game push that showcased Tew and Lai's growing cohesion under pressure.

The first game unfolded as a tight exchange, with both pairs trading early holds and probing for openings around the kitchen. Tew and Lai edged the opening stanza 11-8, eking out critical points when pace and placement mattered most. The momentum shifted clearly in the second game, where Tew and Lai ran away to an 11-5 finish, converting a higher percentage of return opportunities and tightening net play to deny Wong and Mohd consistent rally starts.

Individually, Tew Cheng Jie brought quick reflexes at the net while Lai Chan Shen provided stable court coverage and well-timed third-shot drop choices. Their combination of fast hands and deliberate setup work frequently put Wong Jian Tat and Mohd Nor Faeezam under length pressure, forcing shorter returns and generating put-away chances. Wong and Mohd showed flashes of resilience and tactical variation, but they were unable to find a sustainable answer once Tew and Lai increased their aggression and reduced unforced errors in the second game.

This result matters beyond a single trophy. The Ang Pow Cup is another indicator that Asian doubles pairings are sharpening their skills and tactical awareness as regional competition intensifies. For local fans, the match offered a blueprint of contemporary doubles play - kitchen control, swift poaching, and disciplined third-shot sequencing. For promoters and club operators, performances like this underline commercial potential as high-level doubles matches become more entertaining and accessible to spectators.

The win also adds momentum to Tew and Lai's pairing and may influence seeding and invitations across the regional ATP circuit. For Wong Jian Tat and Mohd Nor Faeezam, the runner-up finish highlights both their competitiveness and specific areas for refinement under pressure.

Looking ahead, the Ang Pow Cup result positions Tew Cheng Jie and Lai Chan Shen as a doubles pair to watch in upcoming Asian events, and it reinforces a broader trend: as Asian pickleball talent clusters and doubles strategies evolve, fans will see tighter, more tactical contests and rising stakes for players seeking regional prominence.

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