KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are the only Malaysian mixed doubles pair to reach the second round of the Denmark Open in Odense, following the exit of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See on Tuesday.
The duo's 21-15, 23-25, 21-14 win over South Korea's Kim Jae Hwan-Lee So Hee in the first round, came as a huge relief for national mixed doubles head coach Chin Eei Hui, who will have to think of ways to revive the fate of national No 1 Kian Meng-Pei Jing.
The Malaysian world No 10, who have suffered a dip in form since the Korea and Japan Opens last month, went down tamely 21-17, 21-10 to another Korean pair Seo Seung Jae-Kim Ha Na in the opening round.
Meanwhile, Peng Soon-Yee See, playing in their first Super Series Premier as a pair, lost 15-21, 21-12, 21-18 to England's Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith.
For Shevon, there seems to be no pressure at all despite being Malaysia's sole representative in the mixed doubles event.
When contacted, the 24-year-old shuttler said: "There really is no pressure on us. In fact, we want to give the best we can as we know it's going to be tough to beat China's Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping in the second round.
"In our opening round match, we played well in the first game but made unnecessary mistakes in the second. We need to work on handling our finishing on court."
Soon Huat-Shevon, will have a one day break before taking to court on Thursday.
On Wednesday, former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei was involved in a late night match against Spain's Pablo Abian in the men's singles first round.
In the women's doubles, national No 1 Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei played China's Huang Dongping-Li Yinhui, while Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean took on India's Ashwini Ponnappa-N. Reddy Sikki.
Keywords: Denmark Open, Goh Soon Huat, Shevon Lai Jemie, Malaysia, mixed doubles, badminton, match, tournament