LAI Pei Jing has become more confident after a brief spell with mixed doubles specialist Chan Peng Soon.
The 22-year-old learnt the finer points of the game when she stood in for the injured Goh Liu Ying as Peng Soon’s partner in eight tournaments.
Pei Jing’s most memorable outing with Peng Soon was helping Malaysia win the mixed team event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
However, the partnership has come to an end as Peng Soon will now be paired with Ng Hui Lin for the Asian Games in Incheon.
Pei Jing, however, is unperturbed as the Pahang-born is only focused on attaining a decent outing with regular partner Tan Aik Quan in the World Championships in Copenhagen.
The five-month spell with Peng Soon has given Pei Jing the motivation to achieve greater heights with Aik Quan.
The previously shy Pei Jing is now bold on court and also calling the shots on court in their partnership.
“It is funny as Aik Quan now seeks my guidance on court. I am now making decisions,” said Pei Jing at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“Aik Quan was slightly nervous when we resumed our partnerships after the Commonwealth Games. I think he sees me as a better player after my stint with Peng Soon.
“Our partnership has become stronger. As a player, I’ve improved a lot... I must thank Peng Soon for the guidance.”
Aik Quan-Pei Jing have been inconsistent since becoming partners three years ago. They have yet to build on their performance of finishing runners-up in the 2012 Thailand Open GP and the 2013 Malaysian Open GP.
The World No. 85’s best result so far this season is reaching the quarter-finals of the India Open GP.
It will be their second outing in the world meet after they were ousted in the first round by China’s Tao Jiaming-Tang Jinhua in Guangzhou last year.
In Copenhagen, Aik Quan-Pei Jing are optimistic of clearing the first round against Hong Kong’s Chan Yun Lung-Tse Ying Suet.
They are drawn in the same half with fourth seeds Chris Adcock-Gabrielle Adcock of England and fifth seeds Ko Sung Hyun-Kim Ha Na of South Korea.
“It will be close in the first round but I believe we can record our second career win over Yun Lung-Ying Suet to set up a second round clash against Commonwealth Games champions Adcock-Gabrielle.
“I want revenge as the English pair defeated Peng Soon and I in the mixed team event in Glasgow,” Pei Jing added.