MIXED doubles Yap Roy King-Gan Jing Err lived dangerously before securing their quarter-final berth in the World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia yesterday.
Roy King-Jin Err shrugged off a jittery start to overcome French pair Kenji Lovang-Juliette Moinard, the 15th seeds, 17-21, 21-14, 21-17 in 56 minutes to keep their hopes alive of moving into the medal rounds.
National junior coach Kwan Yoke Meng said Jin Err was unusually nervous and this disrupted the pair’s rhythm in the first game.
“Jing Err was very nervous. Roy was trying to cover for her and then he started making unforced errors.
“They played well in the second game while the French pair lost focus.
“I hope they can play to expectations and continue their good run,” said Yoke Meng.
Roy King-Jing Err will take on Thailand’s third seeds Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Benyapa Aimsaard, who defeated Russia’s Lev Barinov-Anastasiia Boiarun 21-8, 21-12, in the last eight today.
“They have a reasonable draw. Roy King-Jin Err are playing the Thailand pair whom they lost to in the Indian Junior Grand Prix (this year).
“But we are hopeful our pair can win this time.”
Another mixed doubles Haikal Nazri-Low Yeen Yuan fought valiantly before losing 22-20,19-21, 21-14 to fourth seeds Jiang Zhen Bang-Li Yi Jing of China in the fourth round.
Boys’ singles Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar brought smiles to the Malaysian camp when he came from a game down to beat Taiwan’s Su Li Yang 13-21, 21-16, 21-14 in a 52-minute fifth round encounter.
Another boys’ singles player Wyman Goh played Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan for a place in the last eight in a late fifth round clash yesterday.
Wyman had on Wednesday, battled for 63 minutes to oust Yu Sheng Po of Taiwan 21-15, 19-21, 21-19 in the fourth round.
Malaysia had a tournament to forget in the mixed team event last week when they only managed to secure ninth spot.
However, the shuttlers’ improved performance in the individual events has raised Malaysia’s hopes returning with medals from Kazan.