Time running out for doubles pair Kien Keat-Boon Heong

By KNG ZHENG GUAN

Beleaguered men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong failed their test at the Indonesian Open last week and time is now running out for the pair ahead of the London Olympics.

Photo : Kennee Wong

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who have been touted as medal hopefuls, have had a terrible run of form, losing to lower ranked pairs and crashing out in the early rounds of the Korean Open, Malaysian Open and the All-England this year.

They made it to the last four in Jakarta but apart from a tricky opening game against Indonesian youngsters Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra, the pair were barely tested in the second round and quarter-finals.

Against Denmark’s world No. 3 pair Carsten Morgensen-Mathias Boe in the semi-finals, Kien Keat-Boon Heong played poorly and were punished 15-21, 11-21.

The lack of understanding was obvious and they played too deep in their own court as first Boe, then Morgensen, picked up easy points at the net.

It was Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s second straight tame defeat to the Danes following the 14-21, 6-21 loss in the World Superseries Finals last December.

With the Indonesian meet being their last tournament before the Olympics, their performance certainly does not augur well.

The BA of Malaysia (BAM) may have to accept the fact that Kien Keat-Boon Heong are certainly not good enough to pick up any medal, much less a gold, in London.

But while the immediate prospects do not look promising, all is not lost as Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong have struck up a good partnership and have the potential to become a class pair.

They repaid national doubles coach Tan Kim Her’s faith when they made the semi-finals of the Thailand Open two weeks ago and losing in the Indonesian quarter-finals to world No. 2 Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung.

The Indonesian meet was only their fourth tournament together and they will only get better.

The Singapore Open, which begins today, will provide Thien How-Wee Kiong the chance to prove that their recent results were no fluke as they face India’s Kona Tarun-Arun Vishnu in the first round with a potential second round clash against Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.

It will also give the likes of Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah and Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang a chance to prove their worth while youngsters Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han and Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi could shine as well.

Courtesy of The Star