Age and endurance are among key factors behind Goh Liu Ying’s decision to partner up with Ong Yew Sin after going separate ways with Chan Peng Soon.
Goh is set to make her mixed doubles bow with the 27-year-old at the German Open and All-England in March.
As Ong also forms a men’s doubles combination with Teo Ee Yi, Goh said she needed someone who would be able to deliver in both disciplines.
“There aren’t many independent shuttlers available in the first place. But of the lot, Ong is the youngest and can play in both events. To be able to do that, physical strength is important and I believe he fits that bill well.
“We have trained together before, but I don’t want to set any lofty targets for us early on. We will analyse our progress with every tournament,” she said.
Usually marshalling the back court in his partnership with Teo, the Malacca-born packs plenty of power in his offence and has the ability to turn defence into attack with his crafty returns from the baseline.
While he would look to improve on his 11th rank with Teo on the world standings, Ong can also bank on the experience Goh possesses in their mixed doubles combination.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalists herself needs a big year after a rather substandard performance last year, where she and Chan only had a semi-final appearance at the 2021 World Tour Finals as their best result.
That was also their final action together as a pair after more than a decade, as they pulled out from the World Championships in Spain due to fitness issues and an increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe.
Chan later announced their split and returned to the national stable and was given a new partnership with Valeree Siow.
