Call it deja vu
Mixed doubles pairs to square off for the second time
PETALING JAYA: There will be no love lost when mixed doubles pairs Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie face off for the second straight week in an all-Malaysian quarter-finals at the Indonesian Masters.
World No. 11 Kian Meng-Pei Jing had no trouble ousting homesters Rinov RivaldyAngelica Wiratama 21-18, 21-12 in the second round at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta yesterday.
Soon Huat-Shevon Lai were just as impressive in the other second round match as they powered past South Korea’s Choi Solgyu-Chae Yoo-jung 21-17, 21-15.
Just a day ago, the Denmark Open semi-finalists showed that they were in the form of their lives after defeating world No. 4 Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping packing in the opening round.
Soon Huat-Shevon had beaten their seniors twice – in the sec- ond round at the Korean Open in September last year before triumphing 21-14, 21-15 in the last eight at last week’s Malaysian Masters.
There is a lot at stake for Kian Meng-Pei Jing if they lose again in today’s match as their reign as the national No. 1 will be over. Soon Huat-Shevon will be the new national No. 1 if they make it to the final.
Shevon credited their fine form in recent weeks to the extra efforts she and Soon Huat had put in throughout December.
“We had the whole of December to prepare for the new season. I think that has helped us a lot,” said Shevon.
“Apart from sharpening our game, we also worked hard on improving our skills on court. It’s pleasing to see that we are reaping the fruits of our hard work.
“It’s important to keep the fine momentum going. We can’t be complacent because the chal- lenge will only get tougher.”
“It’s just unfortunate that we have to face Kian Meng and Pei Jing again. May the better pair win,” said Shevon.
Men’s doubles ace Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong have set up a re-match of their Malaysian Masters quarter-final clash against third seeds Liu ChengZhang Nan of China.
Last week, the Malaysians beat the world champions 12-21, 21-18, 21-18 in the last eight.