Soon Huat-Shevon oust SEA Games champs to reach India Open quarters

KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai bounced back from last week's Malaysia Open disappointment by knocking out SEA Games champions Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat to reach the India Open quarter-finals in New Delhi on Thursday.

World No. 10 Soon Huat-Shevon recovered from a slow start to edge Thailand's world No. 13 17-21, 21-15, 21-6 in a 52-minute battle at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, leaving them as the sole Malaysian mixed pair left in the tournament.

The win was a timely response after Shevon suffered food poisoning at the Malaysia Open, the World Tour season-opener, where the pair exited in the last 16.

However, Shevon admitted their habit of dropping the opening game remains a concern.

"One of our issues is starting slowly," said Shevon.

"We need to get into the match faster and not give away the first game so easily.

"The conditions also play a part — the draught, shuttle speed and the opponents' tactics — but we know we must adapt quicker and match our opponents' rhythm earlier."

Soon Huat echoed her sentiments, stressing the importance of composure and sticking to their game plan.

"I need to stay calm and control my mindset," he said.

"Once we focused on our strategy, our opponents started to lose concentration and the third game became easier for us."

The Malaysians face a tough task in Friday's quarter-finals against world No. 1 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping of China.

The top seeds were pushed hard in the second round by Malaysian independent pair Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing before prevailing 18-21, 21-17, 21-10 in a 55-minute clash.

Soon Huat-Shevon trail the Chinese pair 4-0 in the head-to-head record.