Kian MengPei Jing exact revenge over Thai pair in Japan Open

PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing exacted not just sweet, but quick revenge over Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai to cruise into the second round of the Japan Open.

The world No. 23 Malaysians looked out of sorts in the opening game before turning on the power to claim a hard-fought 7-21, 21-16, 21-15 victory in 70 minutes at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo yesterday.

Dechapol-Sapsiree, the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games gold medallists, were the pair that dumped Kian Meng-Pei Jing out in the second round of the World Championships in Nanjing last month.

Kian Meng was delighted to have settled the score with the Thai world No. 11, especially after overcoming their resilient defence.

“They were exactly the same opponents we faced in our last competitive match (in Nanjing six weeks ago) and we can’t afford to lose second on the trot.

“It was a tough match with plenty of long rallies played because of their strong defence. I made so many smashes that I felt like collapsing inside the court right after the match was over! But the revenge is certainly sweet.”

Kian Meng-Pei Jing will play fifth seeds Li Yunhui-Zhang Nan of China next as they seek to reach their first World Tour quarter-finals since January.

Joining them are world No. 8 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, who powered past Taiwan’s Lee YangHsu Ya-ching 21-14, 21-18 to set up a meeting against Pranaav Jerry Chopra-N. Sikki Reddy of India.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying have won all their previous three encounters against the Indians, the world No. 24, including at the recent Indonesian Asian Games.

World No. 6 Goh Soon HuatShevon Lai Jemie did not have to lift their racquets as they received a bye. But they face a tough opening enounter against China’s Du Yue-He Jiting.

In the women’s singles, Goh Jin Wei failed to repeat her stunning win over world No. 9 Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea at the Malaysian Open in June. But to the 18-year-old credit, she went down fighting 14-21, 21-14, 21-16.

Soniia Cheah also put up a good fight before losing 18-21, 18-21 to world No. 1 and recently-crowned Asian Games gold medallist Tai Tzuying.

Three Malaysian men’s doubles pairs will be in action today.

Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong will open their campaign against India’s Manu Attri-B. Sumeeth Reddy while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi take on Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia whom they lost to in the last eight of the Asian Games recently.

Arif Abdul Latif-Nur Mohd Azryin Ayub are up against Indonesia’s Berry Angriawan- Hardianto Hardianto.