Mogensen expecting Malaysian pairs to deliver

Denmark's Carsten Mogensen (right) believes the Malaysian doubles pairs will still prove to be dangerous opponents. - filepic

COPENHAGEN: Veteran doubles shuttler Carsten Mogensen of Denmark will not rule out the challenges of three Malaysian pairs although none of the latter will stay together after the World Championships.

Third seeds Carsten-Mathias Boe are one of the favourites to win the title at home after reaching the final at Guangzhou last year.

Malaysia are represented by seventh seeds Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, 10th seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and reigning Malaysian Open champions Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem.

The three pairs have not been training together regularly for the last three months because their focus have been on the Asian Games in South Korea next month.

Except for Kien Keat, who will return to coaching, the others will be playing with different partners at the Asiad.

Carsten, who has received a first round bye, said: “Malaysia have been traditionally strong in the doubles and one cannot discard them.”

He pointed out that despite playing with scratch partners – the Malaysians did quite well at the Thomas Cup Finals in May.

“Indonesia and South Korea also have good pairs. In fact, Thailand’s pair (Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech) are also a threat,” he said.

Mogensen is happy with his preparation with Boe for their sixth world championships outing.

“We did not go for the tour in Asia just before the world championships, which is good. We had time to prepare well,” he said.

“After reaching the final last year, naturally, the home crowd will be expecting us to go one step better. The pressure is there but we will try to enjoy every match.”

Meanwhile, Malaysian pairs - Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Thien How-Wee Kiong are through to the second round after receiving first round byes.

Khim Wah-V Shem will take on South Africa’s Andries Malan-Williem Viljoen today and should make it for the second round on Wednesday.