Nova: Big names missing but task remains huge in Sydney

The absence of big names need not necessarily give an easy run for the Malaysian players, including world No. 2 Lee Zii Jia, as they still have a strong field to clear in the Australian Open in Sydney.

Independent coach Nova Armada said that with the exception of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) player Ng Tze Yong, the rest of the players will have to work hard to progress far.

Nova is hoping to see Cheam June Wei, who finished runner-up to compatriot Leong Jun Hao at the Indonesia Masters in Malang last month, continue his momentum but he will be up against Japanese dangerman Kenta Nishimoto in the first round today.

Nishimoto, the world No. 20, proved his pedigree by winning the Japan Open in August and if June Wei can cause an upset, he will be up against another Japanese threat in Vietnam Open winner Kodai Naraoka, in the second round.

“As much as I want to see June Wei go far here, he has a tough draw. Nishimoto is his first opponent and if he beats him, the next will be Kodai,” said Nova.

“It is a challenge for him and if he can overcome the Japanese player in the first round, it will be a crucial breakthrough for him.

“Zii Jia also has Lu Guangzu (of China) in his way and I believe Tze Yong has a fighting chance of reaching the semis. This is because most of the withdrawals took place in his quarter of the draw.’’

Nova also hopes world No. 44 Goh Jin Wei will use the tournament to boost her world ranking.

“She has a chance to reach the (women’s singles) quarter-finals,” he said.

Jin Wei, who is under Nova at the Sports Affairs badminton club, will play Tanya Hemanth of India in the opener and could meet another Indian shuttler, Anwesha Gauda, in the second round.

Victories will most likely pit her in the last eight against third seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand or Aya Ohori of Japan.

BAM shuttler S. Kisona opens her campaign against Pornpawee where she will be hoping to bounce back from a string of early round defeats in the last three months while independent shuttler Soniia Cheah will play Putri Kusumawardani of Indonesia.

In the men’s doubles, independent pair Ong Yew Sin-teo Ee Yi will open their campaign against Australians Adam Jeffrey-dylan Soedjasa.