PETALING JAYA: It was not the ending that mixed doubles pair Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing had hoped for, as their bid to finally land a title ended in disappointment once again after falling in the Korean Masters final in Iksan yesterday.
However, professional assistant coach Ameer Amri Zainuddin believes their time will come, as the pair have been showing encouraging progress.
In the final held at the Wonkwang University Cultural and Sports Center, Jimmy and Pei Jing went down fighting to South Korea’s scratch pair Kim Jae-hyeon and Jeong Na-eun 22-24, 18-21.
Although many believe that the duo remain “cursed” after failing to win any of the seven finals they have reached, Ameer views their seven final appearances in just seven months since forming their partnership in April as a positive sign.
“Winning titles is not the main priority. What matters most is their progress as a pair,” said Ameer.
He also praised Jimmy and Pei Jing for maintaining a positive attitude despite the intense pressure of playing against Jae-hyeon and Na-eun, who had strong support from the home crowd.
Moreover, Na-eun is no ordinary player as she was the silver medallist at last year’s Paris Olympics with Kim Won-ho.
“Jimmy has shown maturity, and Pei Jing, with her experience, has been patient in developing alongside him. Jimmy is still young, and at times, he makes some poor shot selections under pressure. When he fails to finish off rallies, he tends to lose patience, but that’s something he will learn from. Overall, their chemistry is becoming smoother. I’m pleased with their performance, but the Korean pair played with better tactics and had very solid defence,” added Ameer.
Men’s doubles: Lee Jong-min-Wang Chan (Kor) bt Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin (Ina) 16-21, 21-16, 21-6.
Women’s singles: Chiu Pin-chian (Tpe) bt Nguyen Thuy Linh (Vie) 21-16, 21-15.
Women’s doubles: Hinata Suzuki-Nao Yamakita (Jpn) bt Kim So-yeong-Lee Seo-jin (Kor) 21-18, 25-23.
Mixed doubles: Kim Jae-hyeon-Jeong Na-eun (Kor) bt Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) 24-22, 21-18.
There will be no long break for the world No. 37 pair as they will head to Kumamoto for the Japan Masters starting tomorrow.
Men’s singles: Jason Teh (Sin) bt Yudai Okimoto (Jpn) 21-14, 21-15.
Men’s doubles: Lee Jong-min-Wang Chan (Kor) bt Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin (Ina) 16-21, 21-16, 21-6.
Women’s singles: Chiu Pin-chian (Tpe) bt Nguyen Thuy Linh (Vie) 21-16, 21-15.
Women’s doubles: Hinata Suzuki-Nao Yamakita (Jpn) bt Kim So-yeong-Lee Seo-jin (Kor) 21-18, 25-23.
Mixed doubles: Kim Jae-hyeon-Jeong Na-eun (Kor) bt Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) 24-22, 21-18.
