PETALING JAYA, March 31 — Malaysia’s top mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying have not set any specific target for the Malaysian Open Super Series Premier, which starts next week.
The duo would instead focus on facing one match at a time in the 61st edition of the open that offers total purse US$500,000 (RM2.136 million).
It will be held at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam from April 5 to 10.
“There is no pressure despite playing at home because the fans have been very supportive although we have lost in a number of tournaments,” Peng Soon told reporters here today.
Peng Soon said their understanding and coordination had been improving with every tournament but the Malacca-born lad was a little worried about his injured knee. “We have been playing regularly and that has put some pressure on my knee. There is a little swelling, so I need to give it some rest.
“I am also undergoing treatment at the National Sports Institute,” said Peng Soon after receiving a sponsorship pledge for a year with an option for an extension, from air-condition manufacturer Daikin Malaysia Sdn Bhd here today.
Peng Soon and Liu Ying, who last week won the New Zealand Open Grand Prix Gold title are drawn to face Indonesia’s Riky Widianto/Puspita Ri Dilixu in the first round and a likely match-up against China’s Ma Jin/Xu Chen, the world number five pair, in the second round.
The last time a Malaysian pair won the Malaysian Open was in 1963 when Tan Aik Huang partnered Teoh Siew Yong to clinch the title. — Bernama
