Shuttlers Koo-Tan seek to build on new-found strength in Paris

ODENSE: Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong never gave up when the chips were down in the Denmark Open.

And they will head to Paris with this same attitude in a mission to continue their good run in Europe at the France Open, which begins tomorrow.

In the men’s doubles final of the Denmark Open on Sunday, Kien Keat-Boon Heong did not let a controversial call spoil their day and persevered to beat the home pair, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen, 20-22, 21-14, 21-17 in a power-packed 75-minute match.

The umpire gave a let when it should have been a point for Malaysia at 15-16 in the rubber game.

Kien Keat was flashed a yellow card when he questioned the decision. The incident, however, only fuelled the Malaysians to romp home.

It was the duo’s second Danish Open title and a third for Kien Keat, whose additional triumph was with Chan Chong Ming in 2005.

Boon Heong said that the win reminded him of their success in the 2007 All-England.

“We won the Swiss Open in March but this time, the joy of victory was different. I felt so satisfied. It felt as though Koo and I had won it for the first time,” he said.

Kien Keat said that they would start afresh in the France Open.

“It is great that we have won the title. Now, we have to forget that we are the Denmark Open champions and focus on doing well in France. We do not want to put undue pressure on ourselves,” he said.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong are the Paris second seeds and they are in the same half of the draw as three top European pairs – Anthony Clark-Nathan Robertson of England and Danes Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen and Boe-Mogensen.

Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan are the top seeds in a half which has Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China and Malaysians Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.

National doubles coach Rosman Razak was happy with the spirited display showed by Kien Keat-Boon Heong in tough situations. The Denmark Open title was the duo’s first win since coming under Rosman’s charge.

“Koo and Tan stuck together and showed great fighting spirit and determination under stressful situations. That meant more to me,” he said.

“They improved in every game and did well in the final. But there is always room for improvement.”

Rosman hoped that their good showing would inspire the others, Fairuzizuan-Zakry and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, to do well too in the France Open.

Posted by Lucas Liau on 12:39 PM. Filed under News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0