Soon HuatShevon out to keep good form going
Soon Huat-Shevon Lai have enjoyed a good start to this season and the national No 1 mixed doubles would like to keep it that way.
Fresh from back-to-back semifinal appearances in Europe last month (German Open and All England), the World No 9 checked into the second round of the Malaysia Open yesterday.
The Malaysians recorded a convincing 21-13, 21-15 win over Indonesia's Alfian Eko PrasetyaMarsheilla Gischa Islami at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Soon Huat-Shevon’s first real test will be against Thailand's World No 4 Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai today.
The two pairs have met seven times with a 4-3 advantage to Soon Huat-Shevon.
The Thais, however, won the last two encounters.
"We have played them numerous times and it has always been close.
"It can go either way, so we have to bring our best to the court and see how it goes," said Shevon yesterday.
Soon Huat believes the key to success lies with him taking his chances well.
"I think the Thais have come a long way since we last played them (last year’s World Tour Finals). They are definitely stronger now.
"But given our form, we can do it if I take my chances tomorrow (today)," added Soon Huat.
Two other Malaysian pairs — Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing booked their second round spots following wins on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for independent shuttler Chong Wei Feng, who went down 21-12, 21-12 to Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama in the men's singles first round.