Jin Wei serves good news to home fans awaiting the Malaysian Open.
Cheers all round as Goh gets green light for Malaysian Open
KUALA LUMPUR: National women’s singles ace Goh Jin Wei served home fans with some good news by confirming her participation for next week’s Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open.
The 19-year-old has received the green light to make her third appearance in the US$700,000 (RM2.86mil) meet from April 2-7 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil after a hamstring injury scare early this month.
Jin Wei’s participation has been in doubt after she picked up the injury during her quarter-final win over American Zhang Beiwen at the the German Open three weeks ago.
The two-time world junior champion went on to play in the semi-finals where she succumbed to Japan’s world No. 4 Akane Yamaguchi.
Not deterred by the injury, she went on to compete in the AllEngland but lost 20-22, 13-21 to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi in the first round.
“I’m cleared to play (by the doctor),” said world No. 25 Jin Wei, who claimed the Youth Olympic Games gold medal in Buenos Aires last year.
“I feel fine but not quite in top shape yet, maybe around 80%. But I’ve a few more days to regain my fitness, I shall be ready by then.”
Jin Wei is hoping to put the AllEngland disappointment behind her with a good showing at the Axiata Arena – the place where she has pulled off some of her careerbest performances.
At the Malaysian Masters in January, Jin Wei overcame the likes of Yamaguchi and China’s He Bingjiao before bowing out in the semis to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon.
In 2017, she defied the odds to win the SEA Games gold medal at the same venue.
“I certainly want to make amends next week. I was really disappointed with how things panned out in Europe,” said Jin Wei.
“If I get to choose, I would have traded the German Open semi-finals for the All-England’s.
“But there’s no point dwelling on things that I can’t change. I’m looking forward to the Malaysian Open and giving the home fans a good show.”
Jin Wei may have a chance to go far as India’s world No. 9 Saina Nehwal, her potential secondround opponent, may not compete as she is recovering from acute gastroenteritis that saw her pull out from the ongoing Indian Open.
Jin Wei opens her campaign against Nitchaon Jindapol of Thailand and a win will pit her against the winner between Saina and another Thai Pornpawee Chochuwong in the last 16.
If she advances, Jin Wei will likely face Yamaguchi for the third time this year. Yamaguchi meets Soniia Cheah in the first round.
“It does not matter whether Saina is competing or not. I still have to play my best badminton in every round to beat my opponents,” said Jin Wei.
The other top names in the tournament are Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan and Chen Yufei of China.