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Off to flying start


Woon Khe Wei (right) and Vivian Hoo beat Czech Republic’s Sarka Krizkova-Katerina Tomalova 21-11, 21-12 in Copenhagen yesterday. Bernama pic


COMMONWEALTH Games champions Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo got off to a splendid start in the World Championships by easily reaching the women’s doubles second round in Copenhagen yesterday.

The World No 26 hardly raised a sweat in the 21-11, 21-12 win over Czech Republic’s Sarka Krizkova-Katerina Tomalova in 27 minutes.

Khe Wei-Vivian, however, face a tough second round match against 15th seeds Line Damkjaer Kruse-Marie Roepke of Denmark tomorrow. It will be the Malaysians’ first meeting with the World No 16.

“We had it easy today against our lowly ranked opponents. A good warm-up to get used to the venue,” said Vivian when contacted in Copenhagen yesterday.

“It is a good start and hopefully we can get better after each match.”
Vivian, however, admitted that the second round will be tough.

“We need to prepare well for this match. They are an experienced pair,” she added.

In the mixed doubles, Malaysia’s sole representatives Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing recorded their second career win in three meetings over Hong Kong’s World No 27 Chan Yun Lung-Tse Ying Suet.
Aik Quan-Pei Jing took 34 minutes to notch a 21-14, 21-17 victory for a spot in the second round.
The World No 85, however, will have to raise their performance in the next round against the husband-and-wife pairing of Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock of England.

World No 5 Adcock-Gabrielle, who received a first round bye, are the favourites in this match.
“I want revenge as the English pair defeated Chan Peng Soon and me in the mixed team final at the Commonwealth Games.

“I have studied their game and also discussed strategies with our coaches. It will be tough but nothing is impossible,” said Pei Jing.

In the women’s singles, Tee Jing Yi brushed aside injury fears by overcoming World No 66 Michelle Chan 21-14. 21-19 in the first round.

The World No 35 was close to withdrawing from the world meet after injuring her left calf in training a week before the tournament.

The 23-year-old’s performance yesterday suggests she has recovered from the injury and is ready to make an impact in Copenhagen.

Jing Yi will have to be at her best when she plays European champion and World No 10 Carolina Marin of Spain in the second round tomorrow. It will be their first meeting.

Japan’s Kento Momota, the left-hander who helped his country win the Thomas Cup in May, surprisingly lost his men’s singles first round match.

World No 14 Momota lost 18-21, 21-18, 21-12 to Hong Kong’s Wei Nan. China’s World No 6 Wang Zhengming also reached the second round by disposing Poland’s Michal Rogalski 21-15, 21-12.



By AJITPAL SINGH - NST

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