Keep fighting: Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in action during the mixed doubles match at the Malaysia Open in Axiata Arena. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttler Shevon Lai Jemie was down with fever but it did not stop her from giving her best with Goh Soon Huat to reach the Malaysian Open quarter-finals.
The independent pair Soon Huat-Shevon lived up to their reputation as fourth seeds when they secured a straightforward 21-10, 21-17 win over India’s world No. 34 Sathish Kumar Karunakaran-Aadya Variyath in the second round at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil today (Jan 9).
The Malaysian duo will face China’s Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi, who defeated another Indian pair Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto 21-13, 22-20 in another second-round match, in the last eight tomorrow.
"It was easy in the first game, but in the second, our opponents managed to read our game," said Soon Huat.
"She (Shevon) is not her best condition as she is still recovering from a fever, so she could not play in long rallies.
"Hence, I had to think what are the strategies that we can use and try to cover more on the court.
Shevon believes their experience was the key to their success in the match.
"In the second game, our opponents managed to find the rhythm and momentum of our game, and gave us a tough time on court," said Shevon.
"They were leading quite a lot.
"I think it was our experience that got us through.
"We did not put ourselves under pressure and were very firm with what we were supposed to do."
