Mew Choo eyes another memorable outing in Guangzhou

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Wong Mew Choo will be back on the stage of her greatest achievement to play a successful role to help Malaysia in their bid to reach the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships in Guangzhou next month.

Mew Choo made a lasting impression there two years ago when she beat a succession of Chinese players to capture the China Open title.

She defeated four China players and also China-born Pi Hongyan, who now plays for France, to become the first Malaysian woman to win a major Open title in three decades. And it was only the second time in the China Open that a non-China player won the women’s singles title.

However, Mew Choo has since struggled to recapture her glittering form as she dealt with knee and elbow injuries.

She took a three-month break from competition to recover from the injuries and lost her status as the top ranked Malaysian to Julia Wong.

Mew Choo is now three rungs below Julia in the world rankings at No. 15 and she is looking forward to getting back among the top 10 again.

“I took a long break to allow the injuries to heal completely. I do not know whether it will come back to haunt me but I am well taken care of,” she said.

“I am happy that I have pulled through two competitions without feeling any pain in my limbs. I don’t think I played that well in the India Open but I did much better in the ABC (Asian Championships) last week.

“I think I have regained my match fitness. There is time for me to improve on my touches in the next three weeks before we leave (for Guangzhou).”

In the ABC, Mew Choo put up a good fight against former world junior champion Wang Lin of China before bowing out 21-23, 16-21 in the quarter-finals.

Malaysia definitely need a revitalised and fully fit Mew Choo to help deliver a crucial point if they are to make it to the Sudirman Cup semi-finals for the first time.

Malaysia are in Division One of the championships, which also has China, Indonesia, Denmark, South Korea, England, Hong Kong and Japan. The draw for a two-group preliminary rounds will be made on April 25.

“We have a quite a balanced side. Our women’s doubles pair (Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty) can also now fight for a point,” said Mew Choo.

“I do not know whether Julia or I will be fielded in the women’s singles. But if I get to play, I will try my best. I always have good vibes playing in Guangzhou. But we still need the men to get the jobs done in their two matches.”

Mew Choo will be making her fourth appearance in the biennial world mixed team championships.

WONG Mew Choo, despite being constantly bugged with injuries, will be the pick of the coaches to make an impact in the women's singles of the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou on May 10-17.

Julia Wong, though improved, still lacks big match temperament.

Julia has steadily improved her ranking and at World No 12, is the highest ranked Malaysian, but Mew Choo, who is at 14th position, has the experience of competing in the mixed team event since 2003, and spearheading Malaysia's charge in the Uber Cup, which will come in handy against the top class opposition she will be facing.

China have the likes of last month's triple winner Wang Yihan, two-time world champion Xie Xingfang and Lu Lan while Denmark have World No 1 Tine Rasmussen, Hong Kong will be led by Wold No 2 Zhou Mi, and Indonesia will have Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Maria Kristin Yulianti, and Mew Choo will face some of them.

National singles chief coach Rashid Sidek said Julia, despite her improvement, is still not solid and Mew Choo has a better chance of turning the tables on some of the big names to help Malaysia achieve a semi-final target.
"Mew Choo may not be in her best physical condition but she is still a stronger bet for the women's singles. She will be the first choice in our campaign this time," said Rashid.

"Julia has improved but she is still not a solid player. Looking at the players we need to face in the Sudirman Cup, Julia may struggle.

"We are in a position to field our best team in all our matches as we don't have the luxury to experiment or give our second liners the chance to gain exposure.

"We have a semi-final target so we have to field the strongest side in each match. If there is anyone who can provide the surprise point, it will be Mew Choo and we need to capitalise on that."

However, injuries have often spoilt things for Mew Choo and should she suffer a recurrence of the knee injury which kept her out for six months, Julia may be thrust into the thick of the action.

However, the Malaysian team will be hoping they will not be in a such a situation as it will make things difficult against stronger teams like China, South Korea, Indonesia and Denmark.

Malaysia are unlikely to name Lydia Cheah as the second reserve as she is unlikely to see action in Gunagzhou and her performance in team events has not been impressive in the past.