Indonesia Open GP: Vivian-Khe Wei upset China pair

WOMEN'S doubles Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei brought cheers on an otherwise dismal day for Malaysia when they upset China's experienced Cheng Shu-Pan Pan to reach the semi-finals of the Indonesia Open grand prix gold in East Kalimantan yesterday.
Vivian-Khe Wei, playing in only their fifth tournament together, notched their biggest breakthrough by beating Cheng Shu-Pan Pan 21-15, 18-21, 21-18 in the quarter-finals to remain Malaysia's only sole survives in the tournament.

It was the third time Vivian-Khe Wei reached the semi-final stage of a grand prix gold event and they have a good opportunity to improve on the record when they play Thailand's Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn-Punyada Munkitchokecharoen, who defeated Indonesians Nurbeta Kwanrico-Deariska Putri Medita 21-19, 11-21, 21-13, today.
National women's doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said the duo had the potential to become a top international pair and he is glad they have started doing justice to their immense talent on a consistent basis.
"I have observed them for some time now and they have plenty of potential. Now they are proving that they are indeed a very good combination and we can see them really improving," said Rexy yesterday.

"However, I don't want to rush them into big tournaments and just focus on producing results in the grand prix gold events. Once they build their confidence, then it is time to regularly play in the Super Series where they will be ready to face the challenge against top 10 pairs.

"Their biggest obstacle in reaching the final was the China pair. It will be another test of character for Vivian-Khe Wei against the Thai pair.

"Although they have shown a marked improvement, I am not placing any pressure on them to win the tournament or even the Sea Games in Jakarta in November.
"Their target for the Sea Games is a semi-final spot and I hope they can make it.

"Indonesia's Meiliana Jauhari-Gresia Polii will be a threat in the Sea Games and Vivian-Khe Wei can give a tougher resistance."

Malaysia didn't fare well in the men's singles where Chan Kwong Beng lost 21-15, 21-19 to Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia while another Indonesian player, Alamsyah Yunus, defeated Misbun Ramdan Misbun 21-16, 21-14 in the quarter-finals.

Favourite Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia shut out Wang Zhengming of China 21-17, 21-15 to give his title chase a boost and will play Tommy in the last four today.

Men's doubles, Tan Wee Kiong-Ow Yao Han, who shocked Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia on Thursday, found the going tough against another local pair, Rendy Yohanes Sugiarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan, losing 21-19, 21-17.
Courtesy of New Straits Times