Top form: Chen Tang Jie (right) and Valeree Siow in action against Japan’s Yuki Kaneko and Misaki Matsutomo in the mixed doubles first round.
IT’S hard to believe that this is Valeree Siow’s first Malaysian Open as she keeps upsetting higher-ranked opponents.
Fresh from stunning Germany’s higher-ranked Isabel Lohau-Linda Efler in the first round of the women’s doubles with Low Yeen Yuan on Tuesday, Valeree combined with Chen Tang Jie to bring down Japan’s 16th ranked Yuki Kaneko-Misaki Matsutomo in the mixed doubles opener yesterday.
Valeree-Tang Jie, who were playing in only their third tournament together, displayed great courage and combination to emerge victorious with a 21-16, 14-21, 21-10 scoreline in 54 minutes.
The 20-year-old Valeree who played with maturity beyond her years stayed humble and attributed the win to the trust and support given to her by Tang Jie.
“I’m very thankful that I have such a supportive partner like Tang Jie. I have faith in this partnership and am happy that we managed to play well together today (yesterday),” said Valeree.
Added Tang Jie: “The supporters really motivated us and helped us to win. So, we are thankful to them.”
They have a huge task on their hands next as they face China’s world No. 1 Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong.
The formidable Chinese who captured both the Indonesian Masters and Open titles recently ended the hopes of another Malaysian pair Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei with a 21-17, 21-18 win.
Tang Jie admitted that they needed to elevate their game further to have any hope of causing another upset.
“We hope to do even better to challenge the Chinese pair and give the fans a good show,” promised Tang Jie.
While Tang Jie and Valeree are flying high with the rousing win, it was another story for independent pair Soong Joo Ven-Goh Liu Ying who crashed out 17-21, 18-21 to Germany’s Jones Jansen-Efler.
Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, two pairs – Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Anna Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing – joined Valeree-Yeen Yuan in the second round.
World No. 10 Pearly-Thinaah stayed steady to beat China’s Liu Xuanxuan-Xia Yuting 22-20, 21-14 while Anna-Mei Xing breezed past Ireland’s unheralded Kate Frost-Moya Ryan 21-12, 21-5.
Pearly-Thinaah will face another Chinese pair Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu while Anna-Mei Xing have a tough task against South Korea’s world No. 3 Lee So-hee-Shin Seung-chan.
