Breaking Super Series barrier

TAN Kian Meng is hoping for Sarawak to bring him luck once again when he competes in the Malaysia Open in Kuching on Apr 4-9.

The mixed doubles shuttler and his partner Lai Pei Jing bagged their first title this season at the Malaysia Masters in Sibu in January.

Since breaking into the world top 10 bracket last year, Kian Meng-Pei Jing have failed to deliver at the Super Series stage, and it’s beginning to frustrate them.

“Yes, Pei Jing and I are a little frustrated because we can’t seem to get past the second round at the Super Series level.

“We have got no issues playing in the GP or GP Gold tournaments but somehow, we can’t seem to cope with the intensity of a higher tier tournament.

“If we can have a decent breakthrough, then we can say that we are a world class pair.

“Hopefully, we will have the same luck like we did during the Malaysia Masters.

“Of course there will be pressure playing in front of our home fans, but I think it will also help lift our spirits to do well,” said Kian Meng.

The World No 9, however, are up against a tough draw, facing Japan’s top duo Kenta KazunoAyane Kurihara in the opening round.

Barring any upsets, Kian MengPei Jing are set to take on world No 5 Joachim Fischer NielsenChrist in na Peder sen of Denmark in the following round.

“The draw is not in our favour but that is no excuse. We can’t be hoping for a good draw all the time. If we want to do well, we have to be consistent.”

The other Malaysian mixed pairs in the main draw are national No 1 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Goh Soon HuatShevon Lai Jemie. Fabian Peter