Published: Saturday October 20, 2012 MYT 11:06:00 AM
Denmark Open: M'sia's two doubles pairs, Chong Wei stroll into semis
By RAJES PAUL
ODENSE: Two doubles pairs Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying made it a glorious day for Malaysia in the Denmark Open when they joined Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the semi-finals of the Premier Super Series on Friday.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong blasted past Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit of Thailand with a 21-16, 21-17 win to set-up an intriquing match against home stars and top seeds Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen.
The Malaysians had beaten the Thais at the London Olympic Games in August and yesterday, they showed the similiar fervour and powerplay to troop out as winners once again.
Kien Keat is bracing for a tough time against Boe-Mogensen. On paper, the Malaysians have a 7-3 record but they have lost all three previous meetings starting with the All-England last year.
"Boon Heong and I are delighted to make the semi-finals. We were more relaxed and focused on court and had the right mindset to win against the Thais," said Kien Keat.
"We will be pushed even further against the Danes. Since our first defeat to them at the All-England last year, we have found it difficult to play against them. Hopefully, we will be able to give them a good fight," he said.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying played superbly to beat Indonesia's Mohd Rijal-Debby Susanto 21-15, 21-11 but they will have an ardous task against top seeds Xu Chen-Ma Jin of China.
Said Peng Soon: "After a poor start in the opening round, we certainly brought out a better game. Liu Ying and I found our rhythm from the start to stay in top of our game against the Indonesians."
"It will be tougher against the Chinese pair and we have to raise our game even higher. We have beaten them once and hopefully, we can do it again. We are happy to make the semi-finals of a Premier Super Series for the first time."
Unlike the doubles events, Malaysia probably will have a better shot at winning through Chong Wei, who will be celebrating his 30th birthday today. He will face local star Jan O Jorgsen of Denmark today.
On Friday, both Chong Wei and Jorgensen had a stroll in the park when they tamed compatriot Liew Daren 21-16, 21-16 and Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki 23-21, 21-13 in their respective quarter-final matches.
Jorgensen has only won one of the five meetings against Chong Wei and will be banking on the vociferous home support to make his first home tournament final.
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