Khe Wei’s all agog over playing with Vivian again

THE adrenaline is in full flow now that Woon Khe Wei is finally making her long-awaited return to competition at the World Cham­pion­ships.

Yesterday, the 29-year-old reunited with Vivian Hoo for the first time in six months to beat Delphine Delrue-Lea Palermo of France 21-17, 22-20 in the first round at the Nanjing Youth Olympics Park Arena.

She injured her knee during the Asian Team Championships in Alor Setar in February.

“It feels great to be back,” said Khe Wei.

“I was a little nervous at the start, but I guess that’s normal considering I didn’t play any competitive match for six months.

“But as the match progressed, it got me excited again. I really missed the feeling.

“Returning straight to action at the world meet did make me feel tensed a bit. But I told myself I can do it and just treat it like an ordinary tournament.”

Khe Wei was supposed to play in the Russian Open last week but decided to give it a miss because of fitness issues.

She was seen catching her breath after the match, but when asked if she’s struggling with fitness, she brushed it off.

“I’m fine, I’ve got no problem with that (fitness).”

Khe Wei-Vivian face a daunting task in the next round.

They will take on reigning Olympic champions Misaki Matsu­tomo-Ayaka Takahashi of Japan, whom they have never beaten in their last 10 meetings.

“I think the best we have done against them was taking a game from them,” said Vivian.

“It will be tough against them, moreover Khe Wei and I have not played for so long. We’re not at our peak.

Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, who finished runners-up at the Russian Open on Sunday, will open their campaign in the second round against Germany’s Isabel Herttrich-Carla Nelte tomorrow.