Time to get it right
Tan-Lai need to buck up as other pairs close in on them
PETALING JAYA: National No. 1 mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Peng Jing had better not rest on their laurels.
That’s because Goh Soon Huat- Shevon Lai Jemie and Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See are hot on their heels.
At the Korean Open earlier this month, world No. 14 Soon Huat-Shevon dumped world No. 10 Kian Meng-Pei Jing in the second round while world No. 45 Peng Soon-Yee See made the semi-finals.
“It’s really good for the mixed doubles team to have three good pairs,” said the 23-year-old Kian Meng.
“I know they are catching up on us and the challenge is on us to stay ahead.
“This means we cannot afford to slacken. We need to be focused.”
Kian Meng-Pei Jing hope to pick themselves up from their first-round defeat at the Japan Open last week by putting up a better showing at the Denmark Open in Odense from Oct 17-22.
“Our performances in South Korea and Japan were not great. We can do a lot better and we need to be more consistent,” said Kian Meng.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, who are seeded seventh in Denmark, have a tricky first-round clash with South Korea’s Seo Seungjae-Kim Ha-na.
The Malaysians are also drawn in the same quarter as top seeds and world No. 1 pair Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen of China.
Soon Huat-Shevon will also start against a South Korean pair – Kim Jae-hwan-Lee So-hee in Odense.
Peng Soon-Yee See have the easiest first-round draw as they will be up against England’s Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith.
In men’s singles, world No. 7 Lee Chong Wei, who is still reeling from losing to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the Japan Open final, starts against Spain’s Pablo Abian.
He should progress to face either H.S. Prannoy of India or homester Emil Holst, with world No. 1 Son Wan-ho a potential quarter-final opponent.