LAI PEI JING, National shuttler
Pei Jing-Kian Meng fail to make breakthrough at All England
“It’s sad because we really want a breakthrough at the Super Series level but we still can’t seem to get past the second round.”
AFRUSTRATED Lai Pei Jing is desperate for a Super Series breakthrough, especially after failing to reach the quarterfinals again at the All England in Birmingham.
The mixed doubles player who partners Tan Kian Meng, on Thursday lost 21-15, 21-9 to South Korea’s Yoo Yeon Seong-Kim Ha Na in the second round.
Despite landing a couple of GP Gold and other smaller titles, the World No 9 pair have failed to make an impression at the Super Series and Super Series Premier stage.
“I’m frustrated and angry. Even when I woke up this morning (yesterday), I couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“It’s sad because we really want a breakthrough at the Super Series level but we still can’t seem to get past the second round.
“Perhaps we are over thinking and pressuring ourselves without realising it. Every time we play a top 10 pair, we want to outdo ourselves but end up messing things up.
“Our match against the South Koreans was disappointing because we did not execute our planned game strategy. We made too many mistakes and complicated things,” lamented Pei Jing when contacted.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, who have been playing together for slightly over a year, will next compete at the Malaysia Open in Kuching on Apr 4-9.
“Firstly I think we need to compose ourselves and re-look into our game plans.
“The Malaysia Open will not be easy, because the pressure of playing in front of your home fans is completely different.
“However, we can’t keep blaming our defeats on pressure, so I really hope for a proper breakthrough this year.”
Meanwhile, Lee Chong Wei played China’s Tian Houwei in the men’s singles quarter-final at the All England yesterday.
Men’s doubles Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong played China’s Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen and mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying faced another China duo Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping.