Mei Kuan and Meng Yean outto serve a surprise in Denmark.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean hope tweaks in training will show results
PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles pair Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean are hoping that a few tweaks made during training could do the trick against higher-ranked opponents and put them back on track this season.
The world No. 15 head to the Denmark Open, which begins at the Odense Sportspark today, knowing that they have to start delivering if they harbour hopes of qualifying for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean finished as runners-up at the Indian Open in March but failed to build on it.
The pair suffered six firstround exits in their next nine tournaments.
Mei Kuan admitted that they struggled to get the better of the higher-ranked rivals.
“We were able to overcome everyone except the world’s top 12 pairs,” said Mei Kuan.
“You can’t really avoid any of them in the draw.
“That’s why we have got to figure out how to beat them.
“We made the most of the tournament break after the Korean Open (three weeks ago).
“Coach (Rosman Razak) has made some changes to our game plan and strategy.
“We have put them to the test during training, so we’re eager to see if they will make a difference in the coming two tournaments (Denmark Open and French Open).”
The duo are expected to clear their first hurdle against world No. 36 Delphine Delrue-Lea Palermo of France today and set up a second-round clash with reigning Olympic champions Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi of Japan.
“For us, it’s certainly a relief to have avoided the top guns in the first round. It’s a good draw and we must take advantage of it,” said Mei Kuan.
“I believe we have the edge over the French.
“Having lost all five meetings against the Japanese, this is where our new game plan comes in.”
And they need to get cracking if they wish to break into the top 16 which is the qualifying cut for the Tokyo Games. They are currently 23rd.
Also in action today are mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who take on Sam Magee-Chloe Magee of Ireland.
The rest of the 14 Malaysians – Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles); Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew SinTeo Ee Yi, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles); Soniia Cheah (women’s singles); Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen (women’s doubles); Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (mixed doubles) – will open their campaign tomorrow.