PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie’s recent great form will be put to the test when they go up against China’s world No. 1 Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong in the second round of the Singapore Open today.
Soon Huat-Shevon played some of their best badminton to capture the Malaysian Masters title on Sunday and continued where they left off by beating India’s B. Sumeeth Reddy-Sikki Reddy 21-18, 21-19 in the first round in Singapore yesterday.
The independent pair, who moved up from No. 18 to No. 16 thanks to their fine showing in the home tourney, face a tough task to continue their good run against the formidable Siwei-Yaqiong.
Soon Huat-Shevon have never beaten the Chinese pair before in their past 11 meetings in international competitions.
Shevon acknowledged that she and Soon Huat need to raise their game further to stand a chance of breaking their duck against Siwei-Yaqiong.
“Looking back at our head-to-head records, we have never beaten Siwei-Yaqiong before,” said Shevon.
“They are indeed a very strong pair. They are very consistent in every aspect of the game. We need to be ready to fight against them not just mentally but in terms of speed and power.
“This is a big challenge for us but as long as we get to go on court, we will give our very best. Win or lose, we will enjoy every match,” added Shevon.
Fellow independent pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing also booked their spot in the second round after ousting Germany’s Jan Colin-Isabel Lohau 21-14, 21-11.
The world No. 23 pair will next face Holland’s world No. 15 Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek for a place in the last eight.
In the men’s doubles, world No. 20 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun swept aside Thailand’s world No. 21 Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren 21-12, 21-11 in their opening match.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun though face a tougher hurdle next against reigning Malaysian Masters champions and world No. 4 Danes Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also made it into the second round after overcoming Taiwan’s Change Ko-chi-Po Li-wei 22-20, 21-17. Another Taiwan pair, Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin or their teammates Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan stand in Aaron-Wooi Yik’s way to the last eight.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Malaysians only
Men’s singles: Anthony Ginting (Ina) (w.o) Lee Zii Jia.
Men’s doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Supak Jomkoh-Kit-tinupong Kedren (Tha) 21-12, 21-11; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Chang Ko-chi-Po Li-wei (Tpe) 22-20, 21-17.
Women’s singles: Carolina Marin (Spa) bt Goh Jin Wei 22-20, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie bt B. Sumeeth Reddy-Sikki Reddy (Ind) 21-18, 21-19; Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing bt Jan Colin-Isabel Lohau (Ger) 21-14, 21-11.
