PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie have a good opportunity to end their wait for a title this year in the Indonesian Masters.
World No. 3 Tang Jie-Ee Wei are the top seeds in the tournament while world No. 4 Soon Huat-Shevon are seeded second in the absence of China’s top two ranked pairs Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping and Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin.
Both the Malaysian pairs reached back-to-back semi-finals in the home Open and Indian Open and can build on their encouraging start to the year in the Indonesian tourney.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei should have no problems overcoming unheralded French pair Julien Maio-Lea Palermo in the first round in Jakarta today.
The former’s first big test could come in t)he last eight against Thailand’s Malaysian Open champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran.Soon Huat-Shevon have a tricky opening task against Indonesia’s new pairing Dejan Ferdinansyah-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti.
Dejan previously formed a strong partnership with Gloria Emanuelle and reached a career-high No. 8 in the world with the latter.
Dejan-Fadia made their debuts together in the Indian tourney where they made it to the second round before losing to eventual champions Zhenbang-Yaxin. Meanwhile, Malaysia will also be represented in the mixed doubles by Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien.
Pang Ron-Su Yin will play Hong Kong qualifiers Lui Chun Wai-Fu Chi Yan in the first round while Tien Ci-Chiew Sien have a tougher task against Japan’s world No. 12 Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
Pang Ron-Su Yin, who are currently ranked No. 18 in the world, will be out to improve their fortunes after suffering first round exits in both the Malaysian and Indian Opens.
Meanwhile, Lai Pei Jing will not be competing in the mixed doubles with Tan Kian Meng due to the latter’s injury.
Pei Jing though is playing in the women’s doubles with Lim Chiew Sien and the duo made a good start by beating Taiwan’s Chiu Pin-chian-Tung Ciou-tong 21-19, 21-12 in the qualifying round yesterday.
Pei Jing-Chiew Sien will next meet Poland’s Paulina Hankiewicz-Kornelia Marczak in the first round.
Pei Jing, who is a mixed doubles specialist, admitted that it was strange for her to be playing only in the women’s doubles but hopes to do well with Chiew Sien.
“I had to withdraw from the mixed doubles of this competition due to Kian Meng’s injury,” said Pei Jing via social media.
“Although it feels a bit complicated that I’ll only be competing in the women’s doubles here, I’m learning to go with the flow, embrace the moment and enjoy every single step of the journey.”
Another pair Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee reached the second round after ousting Taiwan’s Sung Shuo-yun-Yu Chien-hui 21-16, 22-20.
World No. 66 Mei Xing-Pei Kee will take on India’s world No. 19 Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto next for a place in the last eight.
