Sept 19th '05 TheStar PETALING JAYA: The Indonesian Open will give an early indication of Malaysia's chances to win the women's singles and doubles badminton titles at the Manila SEA Games (Nov 27-Dec 5). Wong Mew Choo, who won the gold medal at the last Games in Vietnam in 2003, has been drawn to play against Singapore's Li Li in the first round of the tournament, which begins in Jakarta on Wednesday. The 22-year-old China-born Li Li, who is now ranked 14th in the world, is seen as a favourite for the gold medal in the Manila Games. There had been contrasting fortunes for both the players since Mew Choo defeated Li Li in the semi-finals of the Vietnam Games en route to becoming the first Malaysian in 26 years to win the women's singles gold medal. The 22-year-old Mew Choo had to take a seven-month break because of injury and only made a comeback in January this year. She is now ranked 49th in the world. Li Li, the gold medallist in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, shocked China's world number one Xie Xingfang en route to reach the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open in July. The top Malaysian women's doubles pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui will also take on one of their main challengers in the Manila Games – Indonesians Jo Novita-Greysia Polii of Indonesia. “It is a similar situation for us and Mew Choo in the Indonesian Open,” said Pei Tty. “We have been drawn to meet our main rivals in the Manila Games in the first round of the Indon Open. “It will be good because we can see where we stand against them. It will be a boost if we can beat them ahead of the SEA Games. But if we lose, we can get ourselves better prepared to face them in Manila.” Pei Tty-Eei Hui, who are seeded third in the Indonesian Open, had lost to Jo-Greysia in the Singapore Open quarter-finals in June. “Jo and her former partner, Lita Nurlita, won the gold medal at the Vietnam Games. This year, we aim to win the doubles gold medal for the first time,” said Pei Tty. In Vietnam, Pei Tty-Eei Hui had to settle for a bronze medal after losing to Jo-Lita in the semi-finals. Besides Mew Choo, Pei Tty and Eei Hui, Malaysia have another entry in the women's event – the doubles pair of Fong Chew Yen-See Phui Leng. MEW CHOO: Took a seven-month break because of injury and only made a comeback in January this year.
Wong Mew Choo did well to upset LiLi of Spore. I am happy for her. She has been working very hard and i find her dedication and determination is something that is lacking in most of Malaysian Ladies Players.We need to produce more players like Wong Mew Choo. Look Like Mew Choo willbe ready to take on better seeded player soon. Keep it up.
I dont think so. Someone else, seen here in some of the KL tournamnents. Can tell u that Taufiks girlfriend............pretty.
