Shevon determined to turn pressure into motivation
MIXED doubles shuttler Shevon Lai is already feeling the heat before the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games start.
The 24-year-old, who partners Goh Soon Huat, yesterday reached the second round of the Thailand Open following a 21-11, 21-10 win over Indoensia’s Ferdinand Sinarta Surbakti-Debora Rumate Vehrenica in the opening stage.
Shevon said the next few tournaments are crucial for the pair who will lead Malaysia’s charge at the biennial Games in August, in the absence of national No 2 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing who will be in Glasgow, Scotland for the World Championships.
National No 1 Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying will not play as a pair at the Games after Liu Ying underwent surgery on her shoulder in Germany last month.
Instead, Peng Soon will be paired with a junior shuttler.
“It would be a lie to say I don’t feel any pressure at all. This is my first Sea Games and I’m tasked with such a huge responsibility, to lead Malaysia’s mixed doubles,” said Shevon when contacted in Bangkok.
“I welcome the challenge and I know that I will gain a lot in terms of experience, but for now, I think I need to manage my nerves and my personal expectation.
“Soon Huat and I have been playing well, and I’m thankful to have him as my partner and senior. He may seem quiet to the world, but he is always guiding me.
“At this Thailand Open, our target is to reach the semi-finals, so let’s see how it goes. The next few tournaments leading up to the Sea Games are crucial.”
After the Thailand Open, Soon HuatShevon will compete in the Indonesia Open next week, and then the Taiwan Open on June 27-July 2.
Meanwhile, other notable Malaysians who reached the second round of the Thailand Open yesterday were women’s doubles Goh Yea Ching-Teoh Mei Xing, women’s singles Ho Yen Mei and Lee Ying Ying.
In the men’s singles, Soong Joo Ven, independent shuttlers Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren cleared the second round to reach the third stage.