Singapore Open: Pairs out to prove themselves

Tan Wee Kiong (left) and Mak Hee Chun could use the tournament to patch up their differences.

SEVERAL doubles pairs and veteran singles player Wong Choon Hann will use the Singapore Open, which begins today, to boost their standings with the BA of Malaysia (BAM).
Professional doubles pair Gan Teik Chai-Tan Bin Shen, who were left out of the World Championships by the BAM despite having qualified on merit, will want to prove a point by doing well in the Super Series event.

Teik Chai-Bin Shen, after an easy opener against Adam Cwalina-Michal Logosz of Poland, must overcome possible second round rivals Chai Biao-Guo Zhendong of China to prove that BAM had indeed made a mistake in omitting them from the World Championships.
Should they advance, Teik Chai-Bin Shen face yet another tough hurdle in third seeds Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea in the last eight.
Teik Chai-Bin Shen must make a strong statement in this Super Series event in order not to be sidelined for future major events.

Fairuzizuan Tazari-Ong Soon Hock, who were also overlooked by BAM who opted for Zakry Latif-Hoon Thien How instead, can also continue their progress and improve their current World No 19 ranking.
There is every possibility that Fairuz-Soon Hock could meet fast improving compatriots Goh Wei Shem-Lim Khim Wah in the first round.

Wei Shem-Khim Wah will be playing in the qualifying rounds today and should make the main draw.

Troubled combination Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong must use the event to bury their differences and try to qualify for the main draw.
They must get past Rendy Sugiarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan of Indonesia and Hong Wei-Shen Ye of China to make the tournament proper.

Choong Hann has yet to get past the first round in the Super Series but the veteran gets his best chance in Singapore as he opens against a qualifier, who is expected to be either Przemyslaw Wacha of Poland or Denmark's Viktor Axelsen.

A win will pit Choong Hann against either Bao Chunlai of China or Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro where he will be out to prove that he is not in Singapore to make up the numbers.

Two other Malaysians will be playing in the qualifying rounds where Hafiz Hashim takes on Ajay Jayram of India while Liew Daren meets Dicky Palyama of the Netherlands.

They will play each other for a place in the main draw if they win their matches.