CHANGE OF FORTUNES
Mixed doubles Soon Huat-Shevon Lai set to overtake Kian Meng-Pei Jing
THE Malaysian mixed doubles department could witness a change of guard soon. Yesterday, World No 13 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, for the third consecutive time, defeated their higher ranked teammates Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing 15-21, 21-16, 21-16 to reach the semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta.
It is the national No 2 pair’s second straight semi-finals this season, after reaching the last four stage (following their quarter-final win over Kian Meng-Pei Jing) at the Malaysia Masters in Bukit Jalil, last week.
Their first victory over their teammates was last September at the Korea Open.
Should Soon Huat-Shevon reach the Indonesia Masters final tomorrow, they will replace World No 11 Kian Meng-Pei Jing as the new national No 1 pair.
On whether this possibility played any importance in their performance on court, Shevon said: “Firstly, I believe we have stepped up in our game. We are more solid and balanced.
“However, we are not thinking too much about our ranking. Our aim is to solidify our game. To take each match as a good experience, and to enjoy our partnership.
With the return of 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying this year, the Malaysian mixed doubles department is definitely viewed as the strongest among other disciplines.
“Personally, I still feel that Peng Soon-Liu Ying are Malaysia’s best right now, because of their experience. Having said that, it only gives us something to look up to, to motivate us to work even harder,” added Shevon.
The Malaysian duo will take on sixth seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China, next, for a place in the final.
In the men’s doubles, former World No 1 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong’s impressive run came to an end, when they were shown the exit by world champions Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan of China, who chalked up a 21-18, 20-22, 21-12 win.
The China pair will take on teammates and second seeds Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen next.