TAN Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing are just happy to have regained some confidence, despite crashing out in the mixed doubles semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters yesterday.
The World No 14, who failed to clear the first round of the Malaysia Masters last week, lost 21-15, 21-15 to top seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Ya Qiong of China.
Pei Jing said: ‘It's a pity that we couldn’t reach the final, but I am satisfied with the way we played here.
‘Most importantly, Kian Meng and I have regained some confidence.
‘After the Malaysia Masters last week, we were really disappointed.
‘We need to play like this regularly. Hopefully, this is the start for a better showing from us,” said Pei Jing in Jakarta yesterday.
While admitting that it’s going to be tough to qualify for the Olympics this year, Pei Jing said there are many more targets for her and Kian Meng to achieve.
‘The Olympics is definitely our dream, but that’s not the only thing we are playing for.
‘There are so many more tournaments where we can win for Malaysia and that is what we want to do.
‘For now, we are focused on improving our game and combination on court.
‘We want to play good badminton for as long as we can, and we do not want to have any regrets,’ she added.
The Malaysians will travel to Bangkok next week for the Thailand Masters.
In the men’s doubles, top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia defeated World No 9 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-19 21-19 in 33 minutes in the semi-finals.
The Indonesians face compatriots Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan for the title today.
Denmark’s fourth seed Anders Antonsen faces Indonesia’s seventh seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the men’s singles final while Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon takes on reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin for the women’s crown.