XD : The Malaysian Power

3 Malaysian pairs were on Paris courts today and they all succeeded qualifing to the next round. One can notice the European Champions Rudio ALIMOV / Alina DAVLETOVA (N.20, Russia) qualification as well as the one of Yuki KANEKO / Misaki MATSUMOTO (N.17) for Japan.

One out of two for Russia

The day has begun with a 100% European match between Evgenij DREMIN / Evgenia DIMOVA (N.54, Russia) and Robin TABELING / Selena PIEK (N.19, Netherlands). Using a lot of drop shots, the Dutch pair won the first set 21-15 despite a tight start. The second set was however an absolute domination. 21/7 sending them to round 2.

Unlike their country fellows, Rudio ALIMOV / Alina DAVLETOVA (N.20, Russia) have beaten KO Sung Hyun / EOM Hye Won (N.23, Korea). First set was tough on the beginning but the European Champions played better to win 21/17. It seemed that winning this set gave them great confidence and freed them. Indeed, they did not leave a chance to their opponent by being very aggressive in the rallies. Final score : 21/17 21/11.

Malaysians on fire

The only top 10 mixed double pair to play today were the Malaysian CHANG Peng Soon / GOH Liu Ying (N.8). Against a recombined Indian team DHRUV Kapila / REDDY N. Sikki (N.253), they had some difficulties in the first set but finally won 21/19. They finished the job in a well-managed second set 21/19. Right after the game, they confessed that they are “Not in the greatest shape but today’s victory was very helpful to get confidence for next games to come”.

Meanwhile, another Malaysian team GOH Soon Huat / LAI Shevon JEMIE (N.13) was facing Oliver LEYDON-DAVIS / Anoa PAK (N.64, New-Zealand). It took them less than 25 mins to reach round 2 : 21/9 21/12.

Those two pairs have been followed a few hours later by HOO Pang Ron / CHEAH Yee See (N.25). They defeated YANG Po-Hsuan / HU Ling Fang (N.38, CHINESE TAPEI) in less than 29 minutes 21/14 21-14.

Painful success for Japan

Last but not least, the Japanese Yuki KANEKO and Misaki MATSUMOTO (N.17) were favorite against CHANG Tak Ching and NG Wing Yung (N.32, Hong Kong). After the loss of the first set 21/15, the 2016 Women Double Olympic Champion and her partner won the second one 21/17. The last set was a real battle. Despite a good start from the Hong Kong pair (6-2), the end of the game was very tight until 17/17. The Japanese finally took advantage of the situation to win 21/18.

Tomorrow, the 4 best mixed double pairs will be on court : Yuta WATANABE / Arisa HIGASHINO (N.3, Japan) at 10am, Dechapol PUAVARANUKROH / Sapsiree TAERATTANACHAI (N.4, Thailand) at 12:15pm, Marcus ELLIS / Lauren SMITH (N.7, England) around 11:20am and Praveen JORDAN / Melati Daeva OKTAVIANTI (N.5, Indonesia) around 13:05pm.

See all the results of the women’s doubles draw here.

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