Badminton

Partners for success

KUALA LUMPUR: Women's doubles shuttler Teoh Mei Xing believes she has found a steady partner in Anna Cheong.

Following several breakthroughs this season, including winning the Syed Modi International in January, Mei Xing-Anna want to make an impression at next week's World Championships in Tokyo.

On paper, the world No 33 are not expected to go far with a showdown against South Korea's ninth seeds Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong in the second round on the cards, but the Malaysians are not throwing in the towel just yet.

After beating Korea's world No 3 Lee So Hee-Shin Seung Chan and sixth-ranked Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara of Japan at the Malaysia Open and Malaysia Masters last month, Mei Xing-Anna are aware that nothing is impossible.

Mei Xing said: "This year has been a good one so far. Apart from winning a title, Anna and I have made some breakthroughs.

"Of course, the world meet draw is not entirely in our favour, but we will do our best as underdogs. Should we face the Koreans in the second round, we hope to turn the tables around after losing to them in the Malaysia Masters (quarter-finals).

"But for that to happen, we must get past our German opponents (Stine Kuespert-Emma Moszczynski) in the first round. So it is one step at a time for us."

Mei Xing, who will be making her second appearance at the world meet, added that she was happy to secure a proper partner in Anna.

The 25-year-old, who partnered Yap Ling at the previous edition, believes she and Anna have what it takes to challenge for a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Anna has been my best partner so far... she really compliments me.

"Her power and backcourt coverage is superb.

"I believe we have the ability to fight for a spot in the next Olympics," she added.

The other Malaysians in the fray are world No 11 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Valeree Siow-Low Yeen Yuan and Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien.

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