HOPES RISE FOR TOP PAIR
Posted by valsus on February 17, 2009
NST Online : 15 February 2009
By K.M. Boopathy
KOO Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong’s chances of regaining the All England title in Birmingham on Mar 3-8 look good due to Indonesian Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan’s struggles on and off the court.
National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said Markis-Hendra have been affected by internal bickering in the Indonesia BA (PBSI) and have not been training regularly.
Markis’ training has also been hampered by a knee injury which he suffered several months ago.
Rexy, though, is more concerned about the current form of Korea Open champions Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark, the joint fifth seeds.
Second seeds Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark and China’s Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun are the other experienced pairs but Rexy has discounted them as title contenders.
“Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s form has been good while Markis-Hendra are having problems with PBSI and have not been very focused in their All England preparation. This could be a blessing in disguise for our pair,” said Rexy.
“The Indonesians are the strongest pair at the moment but the current situation gives Kien Keat-Boon Heong the chance to regain the title (which they won in 2007).
“I feel we have to watch out for Boe-Mogensen who have been playing well lately and our pair may play them in the last eight.
“Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been solid in training and they have been very positive and they can win the All England.”
