Amazing resolve – Mei Xing’s game for challenge of double duty

PETALING JAYA: Bring it on!

Teoh Mei Xing is ready to embrace the challenge of playing in both the women’s and mixed doubles.

The national shuttler is set to take on double duty after her women’s doubles partner Anna Cheong recovered from a long-term injury.

Mei Xing had combined with Hoo Pang Ron in the mixed doubles when Anna had to undergo surgery for a rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right leg last November.

Anna has now fully recovered and will make her competitive return with Mei Xing in the World Championships in Copenhagen from Aug 21-27.

The duo had been promoted from the reserves list.

In the mixed doubles event in the world meet, Mei Xing has not qualified with Pang Ron but will be on double duty in the Hong Kong Open from Sept 12-17.

“It’s a huge challenge for me to play in two events at the highest level,” said Mei Xing.

“I need to keep my body fit and I need to be mentally strong.

“I have been working hard on my fitness for these past few months to be ready once Anna returns.

“Pang Ron has been very supportive and hopes I will be able to cope with the additional workload.

“He does not want to put too much pressure on me.”

Mei Xing believes she and Pang Ron are slowly starting to find their feet after struggling at the start of their partnership.

The pair made it to the quarter-finals of a World Tour event for the first time at the Taiwan Open in June.

Pang Ron-Mei Xing also stunned 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallists Terry Hee-Jessica Tan in the first round of the recent Australian Open before going down fighting in three games to South Korea’s world No. 5 Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung in the second round.

The pair moved up two rungs from No. 37 to No. 35 in the latest world rankings thanks to their improved displays.

“When we started playing together, we kept on losing in the first round,” said Mei Xing.

“But in the Australian Open, I felt that our understanding was better.

“I hope we can keep improving after this.”