Tireless Soon Huat-Shevon out to accomplish revenge mission against Thais
A STRING of impressive results have put national mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the right frame of mind for a revenge mission and also to book a fifth successive quarter-final appearance in a World Tour event.
The Malaysian duo, seeded No. 9, are looking at turning the tables on Thailand’s world No. 4 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in their clash today in the Malaysia Open.
Yesterday, Soon Huat and Shevon picked up from where they left off in their run to the semi-finals at last month’s All-England by outclassing Indonesia’s Alfian Eko PrasetyaMarsheilla Gischa Islami 21-13, 21-15 in 23 minutes in the opening round.
It was Soon Huat-Shevon’s first win in the same tournament. They lost to Dechapol-Sapsiree in the first round last year.
Today, the Malaysians will be out to avenge not only last year’s defeat but also to end a two-match losing streak to the Thais.
Dechapol-Sapsiree were in their element too as they thrashed Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Wakana Nagahara 21-12, 21-6 yesterday.
“We need to bring whatever we have to the court to overcome the Thais. We have played them seven times but the last two ended in defeats,” said Shevon.
“It’s going to be a challenging match but I believe we stand a chance. Our previous clashes were too close to call.
“Hopefully, with the home crowd behind us, we will be able to rise to the occasion.”
Soon Huat-Shevon have been going great guns so far this year. They reached the quarter-finals at the Malaysian Masters and Indonesian Masters before making the last four of the German Open and All-England.
Soon Huat-Shevon’s win yesterday made it three local pairs in the mixed doubles competition following Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing’s victories earlier on Tuesday.
It was certainly a better showing this time as all three pairs were ousted in the first round last year.
Two-time finalists Peng Soon-Liu Ying will face Ricky KarandasuwardiPia Zebadiah Bernadet of Indonesia while Kian Meng-Pei Jing, who shocked world No. 3 Yuta WatanabeArisa Higashino of Japan, take on India’s Pranaav Jerry Chopra-N. Sikki Reddy.
Malaysia’s interest in the women’s doubles ended following the exit of top pair Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean, who finished runners-up in the Indian Open last week, lost 21-12, 10-21, 15-21 to world No. 10 Rawinda Prajongjai-Jongkolphan Kititharakul of Thailand.