STILL PERFECT
Kian Meng-Pei Jing continue winning run against Watanabe-Arisa
ASHARPER looking Tan Kian Meng is back with a vengeance. On a day when many Malaysian shuttlers fell by the wayside, national mixed doubles Kian MengLai Pei Jing rose to the occasion to notch their first win this season in emphatic fashion.
The World No 38 were flawless as they upset third-ranked Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan 21-16, 21-15 to reach the second round of the Malaysia
Open at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The win also sees the Malaysians retain their perfect record over the Japanese pair, who they last defeated at the 2017 Sudirman Cup in Australia.
However, it was the new hairdo spotted by Kian Meng that drew the most attention.
"Actually, I didn't think too much when I cut my hair... I just felt like getting rid of two years of bad luck.
“Who knew that was all I needed to change our fortune,” joked Kian Meng yesterday.
“The win today was very important for us and it was perfect because we got our first win this season on home soil.
“The victory today also proves that it is crucial for us to have a solid support team.
“We dedicate this to our coach (Chin Eei Hui), the BA of Malaysia and the rest of the backroom staff which include our masseuse and match analysts,” added Kian Meng.
The former national No 1 also had other personal issues to deal with, and the win sure comes as a timely boost ahead of the oneyear Olympic qualifying period that starts next month.
“We were desperate for a win and this was a huge boost to our confidence. It was not like we played badly before this because it was always close, but we just couldn't get a win.
“Now that we’re through to the second round, we got to make sure we prepare well for it. I'm sure our opponents are no pushovers,” said Pei Jing, who together with Kian Meng will face India's Pranaav Jerry Chopra-N. Sikki Reddy tomorrow.
Compatriots Chen Tang JiePeck Yen Wei were no match for World No 13 Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith of England, who checked into the second round with a 2115, 21-13 win.
It was also not a good day for men's and women’s singles’ Liew Daren and Soniia Cheah who were both shown the exit in the first round.
Last year's World Championships bronze medallist Daren went down 21-10, 21-15 to Thailand's Kantaphon Wangcharoen, while Soniia was no match for World No 4 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan who scored a comfortable 21-16, 21-17 win.