Changzhou: Malaysia’s World No. 249 women’s doubles pair, Anna Cheong Ching Yik/Teoh Mei Xing, took center stage in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday. Their gripping performance lasted three rounds, culminating in a hard-fought victory over the Indonesian duo, World No. 15 Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi.
Highlights of Anna Cheong Ching Yik/Teoh Mei Xing vs. Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi in the China Open first round:
Facing a formidable challenge, Cheong/Teoh’s unwavering determination and remarkable teamwork overcame 3-12, 9-18 deficits in the decider to beat the Indonesian pair 19-21, 21-15, 22-20. This resilient effort ultimately concluded this intense hour and twelve-minute tug-of-war.
Cheong/Teoh will meet Rena Miyaura/Ayako Sakuramoto of Japan on Thursday.
Another Malaysian women’s pair – Vivian Hoo/Lim Chiew Sien also entered the second round when they beat Rui Hirokami/Yuna Kato of Japan 12-21, 21-11, 22-20. However, their next challenge in the round of 16 is daunting, as they face South Korea’s No. 2 seeds Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee, who secured a straight-set victory against the Chinese pair Li Wenmei and Liu Xuanxuan.
In mixed doubles, the World No. 11 Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei had a more straightforward win as they defeated World No. 32 Rohan Kapoor/Reddy Sikki of India. They will face No. 6 seeds Kim Won Ho/Jeong Na Eun of Korea in the second round.
