PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Goh Jin Wei, after her smooth-sailing win in the opening round of the World Championships in Copenhagen yesterday, is looking forward to a clash against raging favourite An Se-young of South Korea in the second round.
Jin Wei overcame Vivien Sandorhazi of Hungary 21-18, 21-15 in 30 minutes.
Except for some resistance from the Hungarian in the early part of the first game, the 23-year-old Jin Wei was in control of the match and it was evident she was in a better physical condition to face world No. 1 Se-young tomorrow.
Se-young has been on a fiery run this year where she has won the Indian Open, Indonesia Masters, the All-England as well as the Thailand, Singapore, Korean and Japan Opens.
The seven titles also helped the 21-year-old Se-young dethrone long time world No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi last month.
Jin Wei said she was looking forward to meeting the Korean superstar who has won their two previous meetings.
“I’m really excited to play against Se-young after so long,” said Jin Wei after clearing her first round.
“I’m not expecting (much) as the gap is too big but I will see what I can do (against her) to create something.
“I am glad that I managed to get my feeling on the court. My opponent (Sandorhazi) played well and there was a lot going on in the first game and was lucky that I won it.
“The hall is good and there is not much draught, but playing in Europe, the shuttle is slow and I have to adapt to that.”
Victory will be a tall order but Jin Wei would be hoping to take their match to the distance after having suffered straight-game defeats to Se-young in the Asian Championships in Dubai and the second round of the Malaysian Open in January.
Jin Wei’s coach Nova Armada said the shuttler had a good start and a day’s rest will also help the Malaysian to be fresh against Se-young.
“Jin Wei followed the game plan and played fast against her opponent. We know how good Se-young is and if Jin Wei can take her to three games, that will be very good,” said Nova.
“Jin Wei also got a rest day and she will be able to recover fully and be fresh when she meets Se-young.”
Top seed Se-young received a bye in the first round.
In another match, former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan also advanced with a 21-15, 21-12 win over Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam.
Meanwhile, another independent shuttler S. Kisona ended her campaign in the first round after losing 20-22, 21-19, 21-13 to Pai Yu-po of Taiwan.
