It has been a rollercoaster 2019 for mixed doubles specialist Goh Soon Huat, who needs a change in fortunes with partner Shevon Lai at the upcoming Fuzhou China Open (November 5-10) and Hong Kong Open (November 12-17).
A series of injuries, including a hamstring tear to Goh in June, derailed the duo’s season after a promising start which included an All-England semi-final appearance.
Even though he made a successful return, the pair skipped the Macau Open and the Korea Open, which caused them to miss out on the season-ending World Tour Finals in December.
"The World Tour Finals is almost impossible for us. We have to win two titles in the next month to qualify.
"My injuries played some part in us missing out. But the aim now is to be among the top eight pairs when the [2020] Olympics arrives," said Goh.
Despite a lukewarm year, the pair are ranked 12th in the world and have a chance to climb into the top 10 with good outings in China and Hong Kong.
They face English pair Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith in the opening round in China, and Goh is optimistic of clearing that hurdle.
"We have beaten them twice this year [Victor China Open & All England], so that is a big physiological advantage for us.
"We have this week to train and improve on our game, and I am looking forward to both tournaments," added Goh.
The 29-year-old also said the dimension in the mixed doubles is more balanced compared to before.
"It’s all about speed and power now. The girl must be strong to defend, and cannot depend on the guy to protect her anymore.
"Shevon has been working hard on her game and her defence has improved a lot. But it’s a constant learning process because everyone is studying each other’s game now.
"It’s about working hard on court and doing the best analysis of your opponent outside it," he said.
Nicolas Anil
Fri Nov 01 2019
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Beregu campuran negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie mara ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Jerman 2024 yang berlangsung di Dewan Sukan Westenergie, Mulheim pada Rabu.
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Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, terkandas dalam pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia BWF apabila tewas secara set langsung kepada pasangan pilihan keenam dari Thailand, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, di Arena Axiata sebentar tadi.
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Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, menepati ramalan apabila mudah melayakkan diri ke pusingan ketiga Kejohanan Badminton Dunia Bwf di Copenhagen, Denmark awal pagi tadi.
Terbuka Indonesia: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai gagal tepati status pilihan ketujuh
Beregu campuran negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, tersungkur awal dalam Terbuka Indonesia selepas tidak mampu mengekang kebangitan Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, hari ini.
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Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, meneruskan perjuangan dalam Kejohanan Badminton Asia (BAC) apabila menewaskan pasangan Indonesia, Rinoy Rivaldi-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, di Dubai, Emiriah Arab Bersatu (UAE) sebentar tadi.
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Beregu campuran profesional negara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai mengakui mereka agak terburu-buru pada penghujung set ketiga yang menjadi punca tewas kepada pasangan China, Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin di perlawanan akhir Terbuka Switzerland.
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