Our girls overcome early jitters to beat the US
News 10:03 AM
YOUNGSTERS Tee Jing Yi and Sonia Cheah shook off early jitters and won their singles matches to pave the way for Malaysia to chalk up a 5-0 win over the United States in their opening Uber Cup tie last night.
Malaysia, who will play against defending champions China tonight to complete their Group A fixtures, are assured of a place in the quarter-finals. The Americans were also beaten 0-5 by China on Sunday.
National No. 1 Wong Mew Choo set Malaysia on the road to victory with a 21-7, 21-10 win in 27 minutes over American singles champion Rena Wang.
Jing Yi, who was in the Uber Cup squad for the Finals in Jakarta two years ago but did not get to play a match, finally got a piece of the action.
Her parents, Tee Hock Seng and Khoo Siew Kee, made the trip from Penang to watch their daughter in action and Jing Yi did not disappoint as she carved out a 21-12, 21-14 win over Eva Lee.
Sonia also earned her break but she had to work harder than her team-mates for a 21-16, 16-21, 21-9 win over Thailand-born Cee Nantana Ketpura.
The 17-year-old Sonia had come into the team as the replacement for her injured sister, Lydia. Another singles player, Julia Wong, also came down with injury and was replaced by Sannatasah Saniru.
Sonia admitted she still had not fully recovered from her outings in the recent World Juniors in Mexico. “My stamina was not up to expectations.
Turning heads: South Africa's Jade Morgan adjusting her hair during their Uber Cup tie against India yesterday “I was not controlling the shuttle well in the first two games,” said the KL lass.
“I was also a bit nervous as this is a big tournament. But my sister (Lydia) had advised me to try my best and try not to think too much about other things.”
Also trying her best to keep her nerves in check was Jing Yi.
“I just played my normal game and I'm happy I was able to bring it out today,” said Jing Yi.
Top doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui made it 4-0 with a 21-19, 21-8 win over Priscilla Lun-Chen Keui-ya.
Woon Khe Wei combined with Ng Hui Lin for the first time since the Laos SEA Games last December but they had to work harder to beat Eva-Mesinee Mangkalakiri 21-17, 22-24, 21-14 for the final Malaysian point.
Malaysia cannot expect victory tonight over their far superior opponents, China, who can afford to rest any of their singles players and still pull through.
But Mew Choo is looking forward to a match against Wang Yihan. She stunned the world No. 1 in the second round of the China Open last year and it will be a delight for her to repeat the feat.
“We are the underdogs against China tomorrow. It will be very tough for us but we will try to put up our best show for everyone,” said Mew Choo.
Malaysia, who will play against defending champions China tonight to complete their Group A fixtures, are assured of a place in the quarter-finals. The Americans were also beaten 0-5 by China on Sunday.
Jing Yi, who was in the Uber Cup squad for the Finals in Jakarta two years ago but did not get to play a match, finally got a piece of the action.
Her parents, Tee Hock Seng and Khoo Siew Kee, made the trip from Penang to watch their daughter in action and Jing Yi did not disappoint as she carved out a 21-12, 21-14 win over Eva Lee.
Sonia also earned her break but she had to work harder than her team-mates for a 21-16, 16-21, 21-9 win over Thailand-born Cee Nantana Ketpura.
The 17-year-old Sonia had come into the team as the replacement for her injured sister, Lydia. Another singles player, Julia Wong, also came down with injury and was replaced by Sannatasah Saniru.
Sonia admitted she still had not fully recovered from her outings in the recent World Juniors in Mexico. “My stamina was not up to expectations.
Turning heads: South Africa's Jade Morgan adjusting her hair during their Uber Cup tie against India yesterday “I was also a bit nervous as this is a big tournament. But my sister (Lydia) had advised me to try my best and try not to think too much about other things.”
Also trying her best to keep her nerves in check was Jing Yi.
“I just played my normal game and I'm happy I was able to bring it out today,” said Jing Yi.
Top doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui made it 4-0 with a 21-19, 21-8 win over Priscilla Lun-Chen Keui-ya.
Woon Khe Wei combined with Ng Hui Lin for the first time since the Laos SEA Games last December but they had to work harder to beat Eva-Mesinee Mangkalakiri 21-17, 22-24, 21-14 for the final Malaysian point.
Malaysia cannot expect victory tonight over their far superior opponents, China, who can afford to rest any of their singles players and still pull through.
But Mew Choo is looking forward to a match against Wang Yihan. She stunned the world No. 1 in the second round of the China Open last year and it will be a delight for her to repeat the feat.
“We are the underdogs against China tomorrow. It will be very tough for us but we will try to put up our best show for everyone,” said Mew Choo.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 10:03 AM.
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