Malaysia Open: Mei Xing secures rare doubles and mixed doubles second round progress

KUALA LUMPUR - Teoh Mei Xing was on cloud nine at the Axiata Arena, after securing double slots in the 2023 Malaysia Open Badminton Championships second round, accomplishing the rare feat by playing in both the women's doubles and mixed doubles in the same tournament..

The 25-year-old, who confirmed her spot in the mixed doubles with Hoo Pang Ron yesterday, guided newcomer Go Pei Kee, 20, to clear women's doubles first round today, despite starting with new partners in both disciplines about two months ago.

Admitting there was a lack of preparation due to a last minute promotion into main draw after withdrawals from world number two Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida of Japan, Mei Xing-Pei Kee were on their toes to send experienced independent players Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien packing in 21-13, 21-13 to remain the sole Malaysian representatives in the second round of the women’s doubles.

However, the duo ranked 193 in the world, is up for an acid test tomorrow against world number four ranked Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu of China, who beat Japanese Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota 21-15, 19-21, 21-16 in the first round encounter.

"Before the game, I spoke to Pei Kee on the situation in the court and how to control the shuttle when facing the draft. Our next opponents are strong, I hope we can give them a run for their money and see whether we are up to the mark. I don't feel tired playing two events and I'm enjoying every match,” said Mei Xing, who reached women’s doubles quarter-finals with Anna Cheong Ching Yik last year.

Anna has been out of contention with a right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury since October last year.

In the mixed doubles, Pang Ron-Mei Xing, who stunned former World Championships bronze medallist Kyohei Yamashita-Naru Shinoya 21-11, 15-21, 21-19, will be up against eighth seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue of France.

Meanwhile, world number 15 Vivian-Chiew Sien remained positive despite not having a good start to the season, aiming to remain in world’s top 20 to secure qualification for the Olympics in Paris next year.

"We achieved our target last year to break into the top 20, so we need to maintain it until the qualification period begins in May, so we can play in higher tier events to collect more points. We expected better performances this year, but it was not a good start, so we need to move on and work on our weaknesses,” Vivian said.

National top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah were stunned by Bulgarian siblings Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva in the opening round, yesterday. - BERNAMA