Zakry hopes to turn things around at World Championships
News, Zakry 8:48 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: So far, this year has not been a bed of roses for national men’s doubles shuttler Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
He has faced various setbacks – ranging from injury, being dropped from tournaments and the frank admission of his partner Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari about their lack of compatibility on court.
But Zakry is not one to take things lying down. He has chosen to be positive, hoping that things will turn out to be better – starting with a good showing at the World Championships in Hyderabad, India, from Aug 10-16.
“It has been a tough year for me. But I am taking it all in a positive note. I think this will only make me a better player,” said Zakry.
“I am more than determined to play well with Fairuzizuan at the world meet.”
Yesterday, Zakry and Fairuzizuan showed better understanding on court as they trained under the watchful eyes of the men’s doubles coaches – Rexy Mainaky, Rosman Razak and Pang Cheh Chang – at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara.
Zakry said he had worked out his differences with Fairuzizuan on court. “We used to have our own game plan on court. I have my own thoughts and Fairuzizuan his. I think this led to a lack of understanding in our game.”
“We have had a discussion on how to strengthen our combination on court.”
At the start of the year, Zakry had to miss the Malaysian Open because of a knee injury. Then, he missed out on defending the Singapore Open title after being dropped for not attending a physical training meeting.
As for his second world meet outing with Fairuzizuan, the talented Zakry said that it would all be a “psychological game”.
“The standard among the men’s doubles pairs are about the same. But, at this stage, some will try to gain advantage by playing mind games,” he said.
“This is normal. The Danes and the pairs from China and Indonesia are well known for this. We will not be intimidated or overly-confident. What is important is to make sure we get our acts right together.
“Fairuzizuan and I had a disastrous world meet debut in Kuala Lumpur two years ago. We were beaten in the opening round. This time we hope to go far.”
The Malaysians are in the same half with top seeds and Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan. Barring any upsets, they are expected to clash in the quarter-finals.
The other Malaysian pairs – second seeds Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng – are in the lower half with South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 8:48 AM.
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