‘Rusty’ pair eager to regain their touch
News, Tan Fook, Wan Wah 12:57 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national doubles pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah are hungry to see action in the Pahang Open, which will be held in Kuantan from May 26-29, after being starved of international tournaments since March.
The world No. 10 are using the Pahang Open to get back into the groove in preparation for the World Championships in Hyderabad from Aug 10-16. The independent pair had taken a back seat after winning the Indian Open in March.
The duo were not involved in Asian Championships in Suwon, South Korea, in April and in the recent Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships in Guangzhou because the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) opted to select players in their stable.
Wan Wah said that the Pahang Open would be the first of four tournaments that would give them good workouts ahead of the world championships.
They are also down to compete in the Singapore Open (June 9-14), Indonesian Open (June 16-21) and the Philippines Open (June 30-July 5).
“It has been a while since Tan Fook and I played in a tournament and we are looking forward to the outing in Kuantan,” said Wan Wah.
“All the top players in the country will be there and a good competition is in store for us. It will help us to get back our touch ahead of the world championships.
“One of the reasons for competing in the Pahang Open is to give our support to local tournaments. We have left the BAM set-up but we want to set a good example by playing in the tournament.”
Tan Fook-Wan Wah are the third seeds and they are in the same half of the draw as top seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Khoo Chung Chiat-Ong Soon Hock.
The other half has second seeds Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif, Lim Khim Wah-Ong Jian Guo and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng.
Besides Tan Fook-Wan Wah, the other two world championship-bound pairs hoping to make their marks in the Pahang Open are Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Fairuzizuan-Zakry.
In the men’s singles competition, Wong Choong Hann will be the only top player to miss the tournament after deciding to take a break.
“I have had a hectic schedule. My season in the German League just ended early this month. I want to take a longer rest before getting busy again with competitions,” said the former national star.
In his absence, the fight for the title has narrowed down to the top two seeds, Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim.
Based on current form, world No. 1 Chong Wei is expected to continue dominating the local circuit for the eighth year.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 12:57 PM.
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