TNB MHL 2018: TNB lakar kejutan tewaskan KLHC
January 14, 2018
Host of National Shuttlers Through to PMM2018 Main Draw
January 16, 2018
KUALA LUMPUR (15 January, 2018): National mixed No. 1 doubles, Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing are prepared to rise to the challenge of defending their title when the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2018 (PMM2018) presented by Daihatsu commences on the 16th to 21st January 2018 at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur Sports City.As of this year, the PMM2018 was upgraded to a Grade 2 Level 4 BWF World Tour (Super Series) and that has attracted a large number of top players signing up for the tournament.
Kian Meng and Pei Jing finished runners-up in their first Malaysia Masters appearance back in 2016 before going one better and secured the gold in last year’s edition in Sibu.
Despite facing tougher opponents this time around, Kian Meng is optimistic that he and his partner can mount a strong challenge en route to defending their mixed doubles title.
“We will focus on one game at a time. My partner and I are in good conditions – we have been training hard and will hope to perform well. If we play like how we trained, it shouldn’t be an issue facing the top guns,” said Kian Meng.
“It is a good thing that this year’s Malaysia Masters has been upgraded to Grade 2 and attracted many stars. But no matter, what level of tournament we are playing in, we will surely give our best. Besides, we are playing in front of our home fans and we will want to give them a spectacle,” added the 23-year old.
The World No. 11 mixed doubles pair will face Danish internationals, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen-Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt in the first round. They might face national teammates Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai in the quarter-finals and potentially Goh Liu Ying-Chan Peng Soon or World No. 8, Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet in the semis.
Meanwhile, Pontian-born Kian Meng also expressed his delight in the return of compatriots Liu Ying and Peng Soon as they will also shoulder the national team’s charges in international tournaments. Liu Ying and Peng Soon already started the year on the right foot by winning the Thailand Masters 2018 yesterday.
“Their return will provide a challenge for all of us to fight and represent the country in major events. But it is a positive thing as they have fantastic qualities and their experience will rub off on others including myself and Pei Jing during training and sparring sessions. We also can learn a lot from them as they are more matured than us,” said Kian Meng.
Tickets are already on sale and are priced from RM18 to RM75 ranging from three different categories (upper, lower, premium) for adults while tickets for children aged 4 to 18 years old will enjoy 50% off adult prices right up till the quarter final stage. Fans will also have a choice of buying season tickets. More details are available at http://www.myticket.asia/.
