Despite succumbing to a disheartening first-round defeat in the Malaysian Masters Grand Prix Gold in Penang two days ago, Tee Jing Yi has been entrusted with the task of being the leader of the women’s singles squad in the Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) that will be held in Hyderabad, India, next month. The championship will serve as a qualifier for the Kunshan Uber Cup in May.
Women’s singles coach Wong Tat Meng is confident that Jing Yi will be able to regain her composure and consistency in order to replicate her performance during the 2014 Uber Cup, where she managed to defeat Japanese powerhouse Sayaka Takahashi.
However, Jing Yi was ousted by Japan’s Sayaka Sato 19-21, 17-21 in the opening round of the championship.
“I’m confident that Jing Yi will recover from the defeat because she realizes the responsibility she has. She’s the only player (women’s singles) that’s gunning for a slot in the Olympics this year,” said Tat Meng as quoted from Utusan.
“Based on her experience in a team championship, Jing Yi has a good record, especially during the Uber Cup two years ago.”
“That time, she won over the players from Denmark, Germany and also Takahashi. This proves that she can do it.”
Among the players listed for the championship are last year’s youth champion Goh Jin Wei, Lee Ying Ying and Ho Yean Meo.
Other posts by Michelle Liew
