German Open: Clear route to title for Peng Soon-Liu Ying

Chan Peng Soon (right) and Goh Liu Ying have a good chance for the German Open title as they are the only top five pair competing.

MIXED doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying's priority is to make it to the final of the All England on March 5-10 but they have a very good chance of winning the warm-up  German Open on Feb 26-March 3, if the draw is any indication.
China's top pairs normally begin their European tour by competing in the German Open in Mulheim but have decided to skip the event this time and this has given the top seeded Peng Soon-Liu Ying a chance to secure their first title of the year.
They are the only top five pair to see action in the German Open and are expected to meet Poland's Robert Mateusiak-Naidedza Zieba, the World No 8, in the final.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying let slip a golden opportunity to become the first local pair in 50 years to win the Malaysia Open mixed doubles crown last month after losing the final to World No 4 Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen of Denmark and national mixed doubles coach Jeremy Gan expects them to make amends in the German Open.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying begin their campaign against a qualifying pair and should play Kim Ki Jung-Jung Kyung Eun of South Korea in the second round and are likely to meet Riky Widianto-Puspita Richi Dili of Indonesia in the last eight.
They are expected to play third seeds Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Vanessa Neo of Singapore in the last four before a clash against Mateusiak-Nadiedza, who Peng Soon-Liu Ying defeated in the Malaysia Open, in the final.
"Peng Soon-Liu Ying have a very good chance to win the German Open. It will be a boost ahead of the All England if they can secure the title in Mulheim," said Jeremy.
"Their main objective is the All England where I have set a final target for them and they should get a good warm-up in the German Open.
"Based on the draw, their path looks clear until the final. Mateusiak-Nadiedza will be their main threats but having beaten them in the Malaysia Open, Peng Soon-Liu Ying should look forward to title.
"The All England has attracted all the top pairs and this is where Peng Soon-Liu Ying will be tested. It will be an achievement if they can make the final and a lot will depend on the luck of the draw."
In the men's singles, only the back-up players will be competing in the German Open where Misbun Ramdan Misbun will also make his first appearance as an independent player.
Ramdan plays a qualifier in the first round and his expected clash against Takuma Ueda of Japan will give some indication on how much he has gained training under his father Misbun since the Malaysia Open last month.
National back-up player Goh Soon Huat will also face an early test as he will play Chan Yan Kit of Hong Kong and victory will pit him against Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia while Low Wei Sheng is expected to play China's rising star Gao Huan in the second round.
Courtesy of New Straits Times