Mixed pair Kian MengPei Jing are in good hands

PETALING JAYA: National mixed doubles coach Chin Eei Hui knows all about how tough it is to stay in the world’s top 10 once you get there.

Eei Hui once formed a women’s doubles partnership with Wong Pei Tty and they cracked the world’s top 10 in May 2009, moving all the way to No. 1. Their reign at the top, however, lasted only three months.

That experience makes Eei Hui well- equipped to help mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng- Lai Pei Jing maintain their standard after they moved up one rung to No. 9 in the latest Badminton World Federation ( BWF) rankings list.

Eei Hui said she was happy and proud to see Kian Meng- Pei Jing join Chan Peng Soon- Goh Liu Ying in the top 10. Peng Soon- Liu Ying are ranked world No. 5.

“There will be pressure to stay in the top 10 but they need to cope with it. They still have a lot to learn and I believe they are still far from their best,” said Eei Hui.

But after a year of hard work since January, coach Eee Hui said her players deserve some rest. All the national players will be given a short break from Dec 23- Jan 1 after the ongoing National Circuit Grand Prix Finals.

“Kian Meng- Pei Jing are mentally and physically tired. It has been quite a journey for them.”

But first, she wants them to win their first national title.

Pei Jing has won the national title twice but with different partners. She won the 2013 edition with Peng Soon and last year, she came out tops with Tan Aik Quan.

Yesterday, they showed that they were on the right track to nail their maiden national title when they defeated third seeds Ong Yew SinPeck Yen Wei 21- 14, 21- 11 to reach the semi- finals.

They will meet Tan Chee TeanChow Mei Kuan today.

There will be pressure to stay in the top 10 but they y need to cope with it. Chin Eei Hui