ODENSE: Despite reaching his first World Tour final last week, shuttler Ng Tze Yong admitted he still has much to learn.
The Arctic Open finalist was brought down to earth today when he was sent packing in the first round of the Denmark Open in Odense.
Tze Yong, 23, lost 21-18, 21-11 to China's world No 12 Lu Guang Zu, the same opponent that he defeated in the Arctic Open quarter-finals last week.
Guang Zu will play world No 2 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia next.
Tze Yong, who aims to qualify for next year's Paris Olympics, told the Badminton World Federation he needs to learn how to manage his recovery better, given the demanding and hectic nature of the World Tour Circuit.
"I don't think I performed very well today because my body has not recovered yet. I couldn't fully focus.
"This is definitely an experience I can learn from, to better manage my recovery in between tournaments," said Tze Yong, who will compete in the French Open next.
On whether he expects to perform better in Paris, Tze Yong who has moved up to world No. 17,
ings, said: "Yes, I believe so.
"I will have more time to train for it."
Tze Yong was not the only Arctic Open finalist to bite the dust in the opening round.
In the men's doubles, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also ran out of steam after reaching the final in Finland last week, this time succumbing 21-18, 21-16 to Akira Koga-Taichi Saito. The Japanese pair will face Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi next.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi reached the second round without having to lift their racquets, after their first round opponents, newly crowned Asian Games champions and world No. 1 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, conceded a walkover.
In the women's doubles first round, independents Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien provided some cheer for Malaysia by reaching the second round.
Vivian-Chiew Sien fought tooth-and-nail to down Germany's Linda Efler-Isabel Lohau 21-18, 19-21, 21-17, and will play Hong Kong's Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam next.
