Vivian-Khe Wei grab crucial win over Germans herttrich-Michels
NATIONAL women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei held their nerves to claim a crucial first-round win over Germany’s Isabel Herttrich-Birgit Michels and give themselves some breathing space in the race for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
World No. 14 Vivian-Khe Wei put up a spirited display to beat the Germans 21-17, 21-14 in the opening round of the Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open badminton tournament at the Malawati Stadium yesterday.
Vivian-Khe Wei, 13th in the Road to Rio ranking, are closely trailed by Germany’s Carla Nelte-Johanna Goliszewski and England’s Heather Olver-Lauren Smith.
Only the top 16 pairs will earn their berths to Brazil when the qualifying period ends on May 1.
Vivian-Khe Wei are occupying the final spot because the three remaining berths are reserved for representatives from the PanAm, Africa and Oceania.
“It’s a huge relief,” said Vivian. “We had to win this match to gain additional points and strengthen our Olympic ranking position.”
Vivian-Khe Wei have seen little action in recent months after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) withdrew them from last month’s German Open and All-England in a strategy to boost their chances of qualifying for the Olympics.
They were entered for two lower tier tournaments instead – the Polish International in Warsaw (March 23-26) and Orleans International in France (March 31-April 3). But the Badminton World Federation (BWF) shot down their plans.
BAM technical director Morten Frost took responsibility for the cock-up, but Vivian came to his defence yesterday.
“It was not solely Morten’s decision. We discussed it. It’s our mistake too ... there’s no point dwelling on it. We just have to make sure we do our best in the remaining tournaments (the Malaysian Open, China Masters on April 19-24 and the Asia Badminton Championships on April 26-May 1).”
Vivian-Khe Wei are the only Malaysian pair left in women’s doubles after Cheah Yee See-Chin Kah Mun, Goh Yea Ching-Peck Yen Wei and Lim Peiy Yee-Lim Peiy Zhean were shown the exit yesterday.
Top seeds and defending champion Lui Ying-Luo Yu of China and Denmark’s fourth-seeded Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl, the 2012 champions, have also been sent packing.