NATIONAL doubles shuttler Hoon Thien How injured his knee in a match against China’s Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng at last year’s Denmark Open. That resulted in him being out of action for some time.
Now, one year later, Thien How and Tan Wee Kiong will meet four-time world champions Cai Yun-Haifeng again – in the third round of the World Championships and, this time, Thien How is hoping for better luck.
Yesterday, the 11th-seeded Wee Kiong-Thien How scored a convincing 21-15, 21-18 second round win over compatriots Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem.
It could be considered an upset as Khim Wah-V Shem had been in better form coming into the tournament, having won the Malay-sian Open Grand Prix Gold just two months ago.
Thien How, featuring in his second world meet, has vowed to give the Chinese a run for their money.
“They are the favourites. I remember playing against them at the Denmark Open. I injured my knee and had to take a long break. This time, we’re going for a win,” said Thien How.
Wee Kiong had mixed feelings about their march into the third round.
“It’s never nice beating your team-mates in a big event like this. It could have been anyone’s game as we are of the same standard. It just happens that today we had the better game plan,” said Wee Kiong.
“If we take our chances well, we can give Cai Yun-Haifeng a good fight.”
With their win yesterday, Malaysia will have three pairs in the third round of the men’s doubles. The others are Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
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