Peng Soon-Liu Ying will have to buck up

Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying will have to raise their game, if they want a podium finish at the Indonesia Asian Games in August.

Despite Peng Soon-Liu Ying winning their second title this season at the US Open on Sunday, national mixed doubles coach Chin Eei Hui remains unconvinced with their chances of winning an Asiad medal.

This has led to Eei Hui challenging the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists to put up a strong showing at next week’s Malaysia Open, especially

when the pair are still fresh from their recent success in Fullerton, California.

“The US Open cannot be compared to tournaments like the Malaysia Open or the Asia Games. There is a difference in standard,” said Eei Hui.

“Even at the US Open, Peng Soon-Liu Ying did not have it easy in the first few matches. It was only towards the end, that they started playing well.

“Their preparation has been good, but Peng Soon-Liu Ying will have to step up their game if they want a medal at the

Asian Games.

“My advice to them is build on the new found confidence and try to do well at the Malaysia Open next week.”

The Malaysian former No 1 suffered a setback when they were split last year, to allow Liu Ying to undergo surgery for a shoulder injury.

It wasn’t long before Peng Soon-Liu Ying were reunited at the start of the year, and the pair got their campaign off to a flying start, when they bagged the Thailand Masters title in January.

The pair also did well to reach the final of the Australian Open last month but the Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena on June 26-July 1, is set to be Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s first real test this season.

Currently ranked World No 31, Peng Soon-Liu Ying will face Taiwan’s Wang Chi Lin-Lee Chia Hsin in the opening round of the Malaysia Open.

Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing are the other two Malaysian pairs in the fray.