Malaysia Masters: Home Duo Surprise Matsumoto/Nagahara
A mental switch helped Malaysia’s Anna Ching Yik Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing catapult to their second big win in two weeks as they made the quarterfinals of the PERODUA Malaysia Masters 2022.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Having lost to two-time world champions Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara last week at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open after beating world No.3 Lee So Hee/Shin Seung Chan the previous day, the world No.37 duo resolved to not get affected by points that their opponents won.
“They didn’t play too differently from last time; we were not strong mentally last time when they won their points and got back into the game… this time, when they took one or two points, we didn’t break and focussed on getting back… it was a mental breakthrough and we are happy with that,” said Teoh Mei Xing.
“When we were closing in, my heart was beating fast, the whole thing was unbelievable. After that, when we won, it felt really, really good. We were quite comfortable throughout the match.”