Malaysia Open: Home Pairs On Song
Backed by a near-capacity crowd, Malaysia’s players gave their fans plenty to cheer about on the second day of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2022.
· DEV SUKUMAR
The tone for the day was set by new partners Chen Tang Jie/Valeree Siow, who punched above their weight in taking down Yuki Kaneko/Misaki Matsutomo, 21-16 14-21 21-10. Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan then weathered the challenge of China’s Liu Xuan Xuan/Xia Yu Ting, before Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik, Lee Zii Jia, and Anna Ching Yik Cheong/Teoh Mei Xing rounded off a profitable day for the hosts.
Valeree Siow, who’d won her women’s doubles opening round yesterday with Low Yeen Yuan, said the crowd’s backing had inspired them against world No.16 duo Kaneko/Matsutomo: “I can’t be on fire every day, but the crowd helped me get that fire today. Whether you play one event or two, it’s hard and tiring. I always have faith, whether in women’s doubles or mixed doubles. Tang Jie gave me confidence, I feel very happy to have him as a supportive partner, and I appreciate his support.”
The young Malaysians will take on Olympic silver medallists Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong, who are on a red-hot streak now, having won four events in a row.