The Russia Open Championships which begins today brings a huge significant for national men doubles pair, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, who are planning a comeback after a series of poor performances.
The Malaysia world no.1 pair failed to progress beyond the second round in the recently ended Chinese Taipei Open, adding to their exits in the Australian Open series, last May, and Indonesia Super Series Open in June.
According to men doubles coach, Jeremy Gan, his players did show improvements despite bowing out early in Taipei last week.
“We have to take in all the criticism, whether it’s good or bad. The players have not been playing bad but their decision making is sometimes doubtful. They have to maintain their concentration and stay positive, in order to proceed well in the Russia Open” Gan said when contacted by Arena Metro.
“I do hope these players are confident and trust each other, which is actually vital in the doubles game,” added the former national player.
The pair’s dip in form also caught the attention of Deputy President of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, who encourages them to rise up to the occasion, before the real test in Jakarta’s World Championships.
V-Shem-Wee Kiong will be playing Rodian Kargaev-Anatoliy Yartysev of Russia in the first round, and is expected to meet eight seeds Lu Ching Yao-Tien Tzu Chieh in the quarter-finals if they go through.
Other Malaysian shuttlers participating in the Russia Open include Chong Wei Feng and Zulfadli Zulkiffli in the men’s singles, as well as former world no. 1 pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
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