Pasangan beregu campuran negara, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, mahu meneruskan momentum di Terbuka Jerman minggu lalu dengan mencipta kejutan dalam Kejohanan Seluruh England.
Kejohanan Seluruh England 2017 merupakan penyertaan pertama gandingan Kian Meng-Pei Jing.
Berbanding Pei Jing yang mempunyai pengalaman apabila digandingkan bersama Chan Peng Soon pada 2014, Kian Meng pula langsung tiada pengalaman beraksi dalam kejohanan badminton tertua di dunia itu.
Begitupun, faktor itu bukan penghalang memandangkan persembahan mereka semakin menunjukkan peningkatan sehingga berada di ranking kesembilan dunia.
"Ini merupakan penampilan ketiga buat saya dalam Seluruh England tetapi yang pertama bersama Kian Meng.
"Di atas gelanggang, saya mungkin boleh membantu dia agar lebih tenang tapi tugas dia di atas gelanggang tetap rutin buatnya.
"Jadi kami akan saling membantu," kata Pei Jing.
Selepas tewas di peringkat separuh akhir Terbuka Jerman minggu lalu kepada pasangan China, Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong, 16-21, 21-16, 21-17, ia secara tidak langsung membuat semangat mereka semakin berkobar-kobar untuk bangkit di England.
Kian Meng bagaikan tidak sabar lagi untuk menghadapi lawan mereka dalam pusingan pertama, iaitu pasangan dari Hong Kong, Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.
"Saya sangat teruja dengan penampilan pertama saya di Seluruh England, sebelum ini saya hanya menonton di kaca televisyen sahaja.
"Dalam latihan tadi pun, saya semakin teruja," katanya.
Shaiful Shamsudin
Tue Mar 07 2017
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