An error-strewn performance from snooker star Marco Fu Ka-chun and partner Chan Wai-tat saw the Hong Kong duo bundled out of the doubles tournament by Malaysia yesterday. Fu, hoping to bounce back from his shock second-round exit in the singles earlier this week with a good run in the doubles, was left dejected and subdued after he and Chan crashed out 5-3 to Malaysia's pair of Sam Chong and Ooi Chin Kay. Yesterday, the 21-year-old Fu was a pale shadow of the precocious, assured talent that shook up world snooker at the British Grand Prix in October by claiming the scalps of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Peter Ebdon. 'I believe on my day I can take anyone. But I was a long way from that today,' Fu said after the defeat at the Muong Thong Thani Sports Complex. 'Perhaps I should take a day off . . . I think I played badly in every frame today.' In mitigation, it ought to be noted that this is Fu's first experience of doubles, and that he is still adjusting to the format. 'It's tough to concentrate sometimes. I get afraid that if I make a mistake then my partner will get frustrated,' he said. The boisterous playing atmosphere at the venue will not have helped Fu and Chan either. On several occasions the Hong Kong pair's concentration appeared to be disrupted by spectators and tournament volunteer workers as they moved around. 'I'm not used to this style of match and it's a little bit tough to get started,' Fu said. By the time Fu and Chan did manage to get started yesterday, it was too late as Chong and Ooi raced into a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-nine frames pre-quarter-final match. A break of 36 from Chan in the fourth frame paved the way for an 81-26 win to make it 3-1, and when Fu found a semblance of form in the fifth with a break of 29 to take the frame 78-32, Hong Kong suddenly looked to be back in it. But Chong and Ooi were in no mood to let the match slip from their grasp and a 41 break from Chong put them into an early lead of 55-14 in the sixth frame. Fu responded well with a break of 31 but, when Chan fouled the yellow with the scores finely poised at 55-45 and just the colours left, Ooi stepped up to restore the two-frame lead with a break of 20 to make it 79-45. Fu again was able to raise his game in the seventh frame and after racking a break of 53, Hong Kong went on to secure the frame 74-40. In the eighth, Chan had a chance to level the match with the reds invitingly spread out, but a missed red was all the invitation Chong needed and he stepped up to clear, winning 60-49.
