Lai seeks joy in double duty Down Under
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles specialist Lai Pei Jing wants to bounce back from the heartbreak of being scammed by having some fun – she has decided to compete in the women’s doubles as well in the Australian Open.

The 31-year-old will combine with fellow independent player Lim Chiew Sien in the women’s event while playing with her usual partner Tan Kian Meng in the mixed.

In a recent interview with Spotv, Pei Jing said she and Chiew Sien were just trying something new for fun.

“Actually, Chiew Sien and I are just trying something new and this is just for fun,” said Pei Jing.

“Chiew Sien will also be playing in the mixed doubles with Wong Tien Ci in Australia and we decided to play in the women’s doubles as well.”

Pei Jing last competed in the women’s doubles in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games along with Cheah Yee See, who retired from the sport last month.

The pair made it into the second round before going down to England’s eventual silver medallists Chloe Birch-Lauren Smith.

In Australia, Pei Jing and Chiew Sien are the only Malaysian representatives in the women’s doubles and have received a first round bye. They will play India’s Rutaparna Panda-Swetaparna Panda in the second round today.

Pei Jing is also out to continue her good form with Kian Meng after the pair defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of the Indonesian Open.

Pei Jing, who recently lost most of her life savings to scammers, is determined to focus on the Australian meet first before dealing with her personal issue.

Kian Meng-Pei Jing will open their campaign against homesters Sam Ephraim-Dania Nugroho.

In the men’s doubles, Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Asian Junior Championships-bound Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing and independent pair Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub all strolled into the second round after easy wins over home pairs.Hon Jian-Haikal blew away Jordan Yang Frederick Zhao 21-9, 21-11 while Roy King-Arif swept aside Chin Hin Lam-Fu Zi Qiang 21-8, 21-7.

Aaron-Khai Xing, who were making their debuts in a World Tour Super 500 competition, beat Brendan Wang-Jordan Wang 21-10, 21-9 while Wee Kiong-Azriyn ousted Elbert Timotius-Tang Haidong 21-11, 21-16.

Hon Jian-Haikal will likely play India’s Rajain Abhimanyu-Aman Nandal next while Roy King-Arif will meet another home duo Ooi Yi Hern-Steven Stallwood.

Aaron-Khai Xing and Wee Kiong-Azriyn are set to face homesters Kanki Igawa-Ken Richardson and Rizky Hidayat-Frengky Wijaya in the second round respectively.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS

Malaysians only

Men’s doubles: Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri bt Jordan Yang Frederick Zhao (Aus) 21-9, 21-11; Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi bt Chin Hin Lam-Fu Zi Qiang (Aus) 21-8, 21-7; Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Brendan Wang-Jordan Wang (Aus) 21-10, 21-9; Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub bt Elbert Timotius-Tang Haidong 21-11, 21-16.
Badminton,Lai Pei Jing,Australian Open,Sydney
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles specialist Lai Pei Jing wants to bounce back from the heartbreak of being scammed by having some fun – she has decided to compete in the women’s doubles as well in the Australian Open.