Take a chance on us
Jing Yi-Fie Cho can step up to first doubles in Uber Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: The team can count on us.
Tee Jing Yi and Soong Fie Cho gave an undertaking that they are ready to step in for the first doubles role in next month’s Uber Cup in Bangkok – if needed.
World No. 41 Jing Yi-Fie Cho are the third highest ranked pair in the country behind Chow Mei KuanLee Meng Yean (No. 19) and Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (No. 20).
But Meng Yean and Khe Wei are still recovering from knee injuries they sustained in January and February respectively, and have yet to return to competitive action.
With just four weeks remaining before the Uber Cup, the duo are not only racing against time to be fit, they must regain their form as well.
This could leave Jing Yi-Fie Cho as the only fit established combination and the team may opt to play them in the first doubles due to the ranking order.
Recently crowned Commonwealth Games champions VivianMei Kuan are ranked No. 280. They made the world rankings after finishing runners-up in last month’s Vietnam International Challenge.
“We’re ready to be called upon for any duty, be it in the first or second doubles,” said Jing Yi after triumphing 21-15, 18-21, 21-11 over Rira Kawashima-Saori Ozaki of Japan to check into the quarter-finals of the Celcom Axiata Malaysian International Challenge yesterday.
“If we’re fielded, we’re going to be very motivated. Taking on the world’s strongest pairs always brings the best out of us.
“It’s going to be a daunting task, but we’ll take it as a challenge.”
Singles-turned-doubles shuttler Jing Yi, however, reckoned that the national squad do have options in the women’s doubles department.
She cited the Asian Team Championships two months ago in Alor Setar as a perfect example when the scratch pairs rose to the ocassion to help Malaysia beat the more fancied Thailand side 3-2.
“I partnered Vivian and the other pair were Mei Kuan and Goh Yea Ching ... both have delivered (in the match against Thailand),” said the four-time Uber Cupper.
“Our scratch combinations have caught opponents off guard. We showed we’ve got depth heading into the Uber Cup next month.”
But before thinking that far ahead, Jing Yi-Fie Cho’s immediate focus is to live up to their top billing in this week’s tournament.
They face world No. 236 Chen Hsiao-huan-Hu Ling-fang today for a place in the semi-finals.
Tan Jia Wei is Malaysia’s sole survivor in the men’s singles after winning his third round match 21-13,
21-11 against Ade Resky Dwicahyo of Azerbajian.
Soong Joo Ven again failed to impress. The third seed went down 21-14, 21-16 to Taiwan’s Hsueh Hsuan-yi.