Julia’s shock defeat casts doubt about her ability
News 1:15 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Julia Wong’s shock first-round defeat at the German Open has casts a shadow of doubt over Malaysia’s ability to challenge strongly in the All-England women’s singles competition, which begins on Wednesday in Birmingham.
Julia’s steady climb to become one of the reliable players for the country took a jolt when she fell to a 17-21, 20-22 defeat by unheralded Japanese youngster Megumi Taruno in Mulheim last week.
In the absence of Wong Mew Choo, who has decided to take a break to recover from injuries, hope has been placed highly on Julia to step into the shoes of her more illustrious compatriot.
Last year, Mew Choo became the first Malaysia woman to qualify for the All-England women’s singles quarter-finals and Julia was targeted to reach the same stage this time.
Coach Teh Seu Bock, who attributed Julia’s poor form to a heel injury sustained in training prior to the German Open, hoped that his charge would bounce back.
“Julia’s strong points are her speed and good court coverage. She can run and last the pace. But her movement was slow against the Japanese because of the injury,” he said.
“Fortunately, she has had several days of rest after that defeat. I believe that she has enough time to get back to form. A good showing in Birmingham will certainly help her to regain her confidence.”
If Julia can play as well as she did in the season-opening Malaysian Open in January where she almost turned the tables on Zhou Mi of Hong Kong in the quarter-finals, she could go far in the All-England.
The world No. 16 will open against Russian Ella Diehl and a win will give her a likely match against eighth seed Xu Huaiwen of Germany. She has in her quarter India’s Saina Nehwal and Holland’s Pi Hongyan.
Seu Bock hoped that the other Malaysian in the women’s singles fray, Lydia Cheah, will also perform better after her tame 7-21, 14-21 defeat by Korean Hwang Hye-youn in the first round of the German Open.
“I was disappointed with her inconsistency and the manner she lost. The poor score is unacceptable. Lydia can do much better and I hope she will prove me right in the All-England,” he said.
In the absence of Indonesian Maria Kristin Yulianti of Indonesia, Lydia, who is the top seed in the qualifying tournament, is expected to be given a place in the main draw against China’s Wang Yihan in the first round.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 1:15 PM.
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