# Show goes on for Malaysian pair
# Next stop is China Masters
They lost but the fans who turned up at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam to watch Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei play in the women’s doubles second round match against World No 1 Japanese pair Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi gave the Malaysians the applause the deserved.
The Japanese won 21-19, 25-23 in a 47 minute battle but it were the Malaysians who became the focus for their guts and determination. The defeat put an end to Malaysia’s hopes in the women’s doubles. Last year Vivian Hoo-Khe Wei reached the semi-finals but failure to do so this year has only made them all the more determined.
They next stop is the China Masters from April 19-24 and this will be followed by the Asian Badminton Championships from April 26-May 1.
“Our opponents were just more steady on the court than us. This made the difference but we are proud and happy that we gave the Japanese a run for their money. We played an improved game but were not good enough for a place in the quarter-finals,” said Khe Wei.
“We did not allow their reputation stand in our way. We gave them a fight and did not lose tamely. Our performance has given us the confidence of getting some positive results soon.”
Meanwhile in the women’s singles Malaysia’s top woman shuttler Tee Jing Yi was a disappointed figure in her 13-21, 20-22 defat to top seed and world No 1 Carolina Marin in her second round match.
“I could have done better and taken the match to a rubber but I could not get that extra to stay alive,” said Jing Yi.
