Father-of-two Peng Soon extra motivated in Denmark

Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying take on South Korea's Ko Sung-hyun-Kim Ha-na in the first round of the Denmark Open. - filepic

ODENSE (Denmark): Shuttler Chan Peng Soon has an extra motivation to do well at the Denmark Open.

Last week, he became a father for the second time as his wife May May gave birth to daughter Hannah.

“I am glad that all went well. Hannah is doing fine. I can now concentrate fully on the Denmark Open,” said Peng Soon, whose eldest son – Milton – is four years old.

“I certainly hope to go back home with a good result. It has been some time since we did well here,” he added.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s best result in the Superseries event was a semi-final appearance in 2012.

More ranking points are on offer and they need a strong showing to strengthen their hopes of qualifying for the Rio de Janiero Olympics next year. They are now ranked 16th in the world.

This year, they only won the minor-ranked Polish and Russian Opens. The last time they nicked a Superseries title was at the 2012 Japan Open.

Peng Soon said their opening match against South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Kim Ha-na would be decisive on their progress in the tournament.

“A win over the Koreans will be a big boost and that’s what we are aiming for.

“We are already halfway through the Olympic qualifying period and it’s going to get tougher. We need one or two big wins,” added Peng Soon.

For Liu Ying, she is hoping for a change of fortune in a Superseries event.

“Everyone needs a breakthrough at some point and we hope to achieve that in Denmark,” said Liu Ying.