Mei Kuan-Meng Yean strut their stuff
Star, Thursday October 13, 2011
WHILE all eyes are on the emergence of Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo in the women’s doubles, Bukit Jalil Sports School duo Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean are also fast making a name for themselves.
The 17-year-olds first shot into prominence when they won the KL Open – their first senior title – in April. They followed it up by winning the National Junior Circuit GP Finals and also made a fine run in the Asian Junior Championships, finishing as runners-up.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean, who are competing in their first National Circuit Grand Prix Finals, put up an incredible performance to beat Lai Pei Jing-Marylen Ng 17-21, 21-14, 21-14 in their first Group A match yesterday. It was their first win over Pei Jing-Marylen, having lost to the pair in the Kedah Open in July.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean are now virtually through to the semi-finals after crushing fellow junior pair Peak Yen Wei-Yap Rui Chen 21-10, 21-11 in just 21 minutes.
Mei Kuan-Meng Yean will wrap up their final group match against Khe Wei-Vivian today.
“Our first match was really tough because we knew that it was the one which will decide who qualifies for the semi-finals,” said the KL-born Mei Kuan.
“I wasn’t able to play my real game at first and was struggling quite a bit but I’m glad we managed to come back strongly to win.”
Meng Yean said that it felt good to have beaten the more experienced pair of Pei Jing-Marylen.
And she has now set her sights on qualifying for the final with Mei Kuan.
“We lost to them (Pei Jin-Marylen) during the Kedah Open because we had just returned from the Asian Juniors and were not in top condition,” said Meng Yean. “This time we were more prepared and it was a good boost to our confidence.
“It will be tougher playing against Khe Wei-Vivian because they are in really good form but we will go all out and aim to qualify for the final.”
Meanwhile, the Cheah sisters of Lydia and Sonia dominated the first day of action in the women’s singles. Lydia showed good form to thrash former national shuttler Julia Wong and Lim Chiew Sien in Group B and will take on Sannatasah Saniru today.
Not to be outdone, younger sister Sonia showed why she’s regarded as the future of Malaysian women’s singles when she first overcame Florah Ng 20-22, 21-15, 21-10 before thrashing Lim Yin Fun 21-13, 21-12.
The 18-year-old Sonia, who has already qualified for the semi-finals, will now face defending champion Tee Jing Yi in a match to decide the Group A champion.
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