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Sunday November 30, 2008

Ankle injury a big worry for doubles ace Eei Hui

KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles shuttler Chin Eei Hui (pic) will head straight for treatment on her ankle when she returns home from the Hong Kong Open.

Yesterday, Eei Hui and Wong Pei Tty failed to make their fourth consecutive final appearance in a Super Series when they crashed 13-21, 9-21 to China’s Zhang Yawen-Zhao Tingting in the semi-finals.

National coach Rexy Mainaky blamed the defeat on Eei Hui-Pei Tty, the world No. 2, playing in too many tournaments without proper rest.

“The duo’s movements were sluggish. Our physician has submitted a report on Eei Hui and her ankle doesn’t look too good,” said Rexy in a telephone interview.

“She will have an X-ray taken as soon as she arrives home.” Rexy said the four back-to-back Super Series tournaments over the last two months had also taken its toll on Pei Tty.

“The Chinese were more consistent and played well today (yesterday). In the second game, Pei Tty was not in control. In this game alone, our pair committed 16 errors,” said Rexy.

“Pei Tty is also feeling the strain of having played in too many tournaments. I will encourage my players to take a good rest.”

It is fortunate that Eei Hui-Pei Tty did not qualify for the National Grand Prix Finals, which will be held in Alor Star from Dec 9-12.

They will now prepare for the Super Series Masters Finals to be held in Kota Kinabalu from Dec 18-21.

For the record, Pei Tty and Chin Eei had gotten the proverbial monkey off their backs by winning the Danish Open in October.

They followed it up with runner-up finishes in the French and China Opens.

The Danish Open was the duo’s first title in six years.

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