GLASGOW: Woman doubles shuttler Vivian Hoo simply loves challenges.
Two years ago, she was given a chance to play in the mixed doubles with Lee Chong Wei for fun.
They probably didn’t read the script as they went on to win the title at the Selangor Open.
Now, she has a chance to win her first international mixed doubles title with Tan Wee Kiong in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
They are among the three mixed doubles pairs entered for the Games. The other pairs are Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing and Goh V Shem-Lim Yin Loo.
Wee Kiong-Vivian, who will meet Dakeil Thorpe-Mariama Eastmond of Barbados in the second round after a first-round bye, have a tough challenge.
They are likely to be up against top seeds Chris Adcock-Gabrielle Adcock in the third round.
“We will have to beat Mr and Mrs Adcock if we want to go through to the quarter-finals. We will make them sweat, that’s for sure … it will be fun,” said Vivian with a smile.
“Wee Kiong and I trained a little for this event … but you never know. I cannot forget how Chong Wei and I won the mixed doubles title although we had never played together.
“It will be super tough against the English pair. It will be bonus if we can even steal a game.”
Asked if she planned to play a dual role, she said: “I wouldn’t mind trying out the mixed doubles … but that’s up to the coaches. For now, my priority is the women’s doubles (with Woon Khe Wei).”
Vivian-Khe Wei have been seeded second and are in the same half with England’s fourth seeds Gabrielle-Lauren Smith.
Their main challengers, however, will be top seeds Shinta Mulia Sari-Yao Lei of Singapore.
The Malaysians lost to the Singaporeans in the semi-finals of the mixed team event.
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