Hitting it off: Yap Ling got off to an easy start with Hon Jian in the first round of the mixed doubles. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
YAP Ling was only informed that she will be partnering Choong Hon Jian in the mixed doubles when she arrived in Cambodia for the SEA Games.
Earlier, the national doubles shuttler was supposed to play with Roy King before the coaches changed their minds and decided to combine her with Hon Jian instead.
Roy King will now partner Cheng Su Yin, who will also be playing in the women’s doubles with twin sister Cheng Su Hui.
Su Yin had been initially partnered with Hon Jian.
Despite the last-minute notice, Yap Ling is not panicking but instead is out to spring a surprise.
Yesterday, she got off to an easy start with Hon Jian when the duo blew away homesters Mengleap Heng-Hong Bun Srey 21-9, 21-8 in the first round at the Morodok Techo badminton hall in Phnom Penh.
“We only knew we will be playing together about five days ago,” said Yap Ling.
“But we were prepared for any changes as we had been training with different partners. We just want to go all out as there’s not much pressure on us.”
Yap Ling also wants to do better after suffering a first-round exit in the women’s doubles along with Go Pei Kee in her debut last year in Vietnam.
“I want to make amends this time,” said Yap Ling.
Yap Ling and Hon Jian had formed a brief partnership last year where they had played in two tournaments – the Bangladesh and Malaysian International Challenge.
The pair failed to get past the opening round in both and were split up.
Hon Jian-Yap Ling will face Thailand’s Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Chasinee Korepap in the quarter-finals today.
Meanwhile, Roy King-Su Yin will open their campaign in the first round against Singapore’s Donovan Wee-Heng Xiao En.
