PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles shuttlers Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Yi are keen to justify their selection for the Asia Mixed Team Championships.
The team meet starts on Tuesday in Qingdao, China, and Su Hui-Zhing Yi, who will be making their debuts together, are hoping to prove themselves.
Twenty-year-olds Su Hui and Zhing Yi have yet to establish themselves at the senior level and are hoping to form a successful partnership.
“We never expected to be selected for this tournament and we were quite surprised when we saw our names in the list,” said Su Hui.
“This is our first tournament together and we are happy and excited. We are thankful to be chosen and we want to prove ourselves.”
Su Hui-Zhing Yi know that they have a tough challenge after Malaysia were placed in Group B along with Hong Kong and Indonesia.
The pair, though, remain undaunted and are out to spring a surprise.
“The Hong Kong and Indonesian pairs are higher ranked than us but we are excited to challenge them. We are not nervous,” said Zhing Yi.
“I’m a back court player while Su Hui plays in the front court. We have been training together for a while and our communication and understanding are getting better.”
Su Hui said: “We don’t have any specific targets as this is our first tournament together.
“We want to play our best and execute our game plan well. We also want to observe the top pairs and learn from them.”
The other women’s pair selected for the team are Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee.
Meanwhile, Su Hui is also excited to be in the same team as her twin sister Cheng Su Yin.
Su Yin has formed a promising partnership in the mixed doubles with Hoo Pang Ron and the pair are currently ranked No. 15 in the world.
Pang Ron-Su Yin will be joined by world No. 4 independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
“I’m excited to be in the same team as my twin sister. She has shared with me her experience in bigger tournaments before,” said Su Hui.
“I have also played in senior tournaments before this. So, I believe I can handle the pressure.”
Only the top two teams in the group will progress to the quarter-finals.
