We’re sorry: Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing lost 15-21, 18-21 to Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh-Suppissara Paewsampran in the second round at the Royal Arena.
PETALING JAYA: Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have faltered again to resurrect their sinking career after a second-round exit at the World Championships and the latest failure is likely to put enormous pressure on them to maintain their spot in the Road to Gold programme.
Ranked as high as world No. 5, Kian Meng-Pei Jing have now failed to get past the preliminary rounds in 16 consecutive tournaments this year, including the world meet in Copenhagen.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing’s poor run continued with a 15-21, 18-21 defeat to Thai pair Supak Jomkoh-Suppissara Paewsampran on Wednesday at the Royal Arena.
World No. 21 Kian Meng-Pei Jing had been given time by the RTG committee to improve their world ranking by the end of September where a review will be made on them.
Initially, top 10 pairs were identified by RTG to offer support in their bid to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics but the committee relaxed the ruling and pairs in the top 16 had been allowed to remain as part of the programme.
The recent flop forced Pei Jing to break into tears during an interview session.
Pei Jing was so dejected that she posted in her Instagram that they have wasted the fans’ time watching them in action at the major event.
“I burst into tears when asked what I would like to say to the fans. I could not live up to the expectations and I apologise for my bad performance,’ posted Pei Jing.
“I feel so sorry and guilty for wasting your precious time watching my match.
“But I promise you guys (fans), I won’t give up, no matter how tired, how hard the situation I’m going through.
“As long as you don’t give up on us, we won’t give up on ourselves.”
The emotional message explains the hard times faced by Pei Jing and also Kian Meng in their fight to regain the form that made them a top five pair and also winning the Korean Open last year.
They will be hoping for better fortunes at the super 1000 China Open from Sept 5-10 where they play compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the first round.
They will also play in the Hong Kong Open from Sept 12-17 and will be hoping for better fortunes as these tournaments could decide their fate on their position in the RTG.
