{
  "id": 16556498,
  "title": "Wei Chong-Kai Wun say 'zero expectations' drove French Open breakthrough",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/wei-chong-kai-wun-say-zero-expectations-drove-french-open-breakthrough",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T03:57:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2026/10/1563727/wei-chong-kai-wun-say-zero-expectations-drove-french-open"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kuala Lumpur - Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun attributed his first Super 750 French Open victory to an underdog mentality. The world No. 11 rallied from a game down to defeat his compatriot Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 13-21, 21-15, 21-7 in the final, earning US$70,300 (RM287,035). Kai Wun explained that they didn't focus on winning or losing because they were the underdogs. They simply wanted to play their best and secure every point. The pair entered the tournament without targets, but Kai Wun noted that their consistency had been lacking. They decided to focus on each match individually, giving their best until the end. Kai Wun also mentioned that he is recovering from a knee injury but said it was almost recovered. The French Open title marked the sixth success on the World Tour for the pair, their first since winning the Malaysia Masters in May last year. This win ended a 17-month title drought and also brought Malaysia its first French Open men's doubles crown in 22 years, ending a 14-year wait since Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat's triumph in 2004.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun credited an underdog mindset for carrying them to their first Super 750 French Open title on Sunday.",
  "key_points": [
    "Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun won first Super 750 French Open title",
    "Team focused on playing best, not winning, as underdogs",
    "Victory ended 17-month title drought and 14-year wait for Malaysia"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Adopting an underdog mentality allowed the pair to overcome a long title drought and secure Malaysia's first French Open men's doubles crown in over two decades.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}