Mixed doubles shuttler Jimmy Wong (left) in action.
PETALING JAYA: Give shuttler Jimmy Wong (pic) some time to get used to playing in the mixed doubles and he will only get better.
The experienced Lai Pei Jing said she has full faith in her younger partner after the duo settled for another runners-up finish in their second consecutive tournament since combining last month.
The 22-year-old Jimmy and Pei Jing went down 17-21, 16-21 to China’s upcoming pair Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying in the Thailand International Series final in Phuket yesterday.
A week ago, the independent pair came second to Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Ng Tsz Yau in their debut outing together in the Vietnam International Challenge in Hanoi.
The 32-year-old Pei Jing was disappointed to miss out on the title again but is satisfied with her encouraging start with Jimmy, who previously played in the men’s doubles with Lwi Sheng Hao.
“It feels complicated now as we’ve just lost our second final together. We could have actually done better, and stood on the top of the podium. We need time to grow,” said Pei Jing.
“But overall, I’m satisfied with our result and performance too. We still have a lot to learn and improve.
“We need to work on our strategy and coordination as Jimmy is used to being a men’s doubles player and of course there are a lot of differences.”
Pei Jing last captured a title in the 2022 World Tour Super 500 Korean Open with previous partner Tan Kian Meng while Jimmy has never won before.
The latter’s best achievement in the men’s doubles was finishing runners-up twice with Sheng Hao in the Austrian Open and Slovenian Open in 2023.
Men’s singles: Wang Po-wei (Tpe) bt Cho Geon-yeop (Kor) 21-19, 21-13.
Men’s doubles: Chen Xujun-Guo Ruohan (Chn) bt Pharanyu Kaosamaang-Tanadon Punpanich (Tha) 19-21, 21-15, 21-18.
Women’s singles: Tidapron Kleebyeesun (Tha) bt Xu Wenjing (Chn) 21-17, 23-21.
Women’s doubles: Tidapron Kleebyeesun-Nattamon Laisuan (Tha) bt Atitaya Povanon-Patida Srisawat (Tha) 21-13, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying (Chn) bt Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) 21-17, 21-16.
