Kuala Lumpur: The world’s number one mixed doubles pair from China, Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong, will be clashing with last week’s Malaysia Masters champions Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai in the 2024 Singapore Open on Thursday.
Both pairs were set to face off, after the victory of the World No. 16 duo Goh/Lai, who secured the title at the Malaysia Masters last week, against the World No. 47 Indian pair, Sumeeth Reddy/Sikki Reddy, with a score of 21-18, 21-19 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.
Zheng/Huang, on the other hand, advanced to the second round after receiving a bye in the first round. Zheng/Huang are holding a perfect record of 11-0 against Goh/Lai in all their previous meetings.
These two pairs last met in the semi-finals of the Asian Badminton Championship in Dubai last year, where Zheng/Huang secured a straight-set victory, 21-11, 21-13.
“Based on our meeting record, we have never won against them. They are a very strong pair, both in terms of speed and strength,” said Lai.
“So we need to be consistent, prepared to face not only mentally but also in terms of speed and strength,” added Lai.
“It’s a challenge for us, but as long as we step onto the court, we will do our best… win or lose, we will still enjoy the match,” continued Lai.
At the Malaysia Masters last week, Goh/Lai dedicated their title win as a wedding gift to themselves on May 4th when they defeated the Indonesian pair, Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, 21-18, 21-19.
Meanwhile, last week’s Malaysia Masters runner-up Lee Zii Jia made a last-minute decision to withdraw from the Singapore Open 2024 tournament.
The decision gave his opponent in the first round from Indonesia, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, a walkover to meet another representative from Malaysia, Leong Jun Hao, in the second round.
Through a post on Team LZJ’s social media page, the decision was made after considering medical advice they received in Singapore, which advised the world number nine player not to participate in the tournament due to the hamstring injury he suffered at the Thailand Open and also the Malaysia Masters.
