Pei Kee’s going with the flow and finding her rhythm in mixed doubles

PETALING JAYA: The road is still long for national doubles shuttler Go Pei Kee but the 21-year-old is steadily finding her footing in the mixed doubles category.

Paired up with doubles player Choong Hon Jian, Pei Kee said the pair are doing the best they can despite the relatively short duration they have been teammates.

“The both of us play in the doubles and mixed doubles events, so the time we have spent together isn’t much.

“I do think our playing style with each other can be better,” she said.

The pair left a lasting impression recently at the Indonesian Masters when they came close to sending world No. 7 team Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun of South Korea home in the opening round of the tournament.

The whirlwind of a match that ended 19-21, 30-28, 21-13 even earned the young Malaysians praise from their South Korean opponents, with Na-eun saying Hon Jian’s left-handed play was interesting while Pei Kee covered the front court well.

Pei Kee said it was a surprise for her as well to go toe-to-toe with the South Koreans.

“I really didn’t think about it in the moment, all I could think about was playing my best game.

“I was surprised too, so we just kept our heads down and brought the fight to them,” she said.

Pei Kee did admit that keeping a cool head when things get tight is still an aspect of her game that needs to be improved.

“I think I’m still lacking in experience, especially with more seasoned players and when the score is even.

“They are able to stay calm and focused on the task at hand and that only comes with a lot more experience.

Currently ranked 50th with Hon Jian, she added that the goal for 2024 is to secure a tournament title.

“If there is a chance to do it, we want to win a title.

“But at the moment it isn’t wise to think that far, there is still work to be done.”

In the women’s doubles category, Pei Kee is teamed up with Low Yeen Yuan and currently sit at world No. 83.

They will be part of the women’s team heading to the Asia Team Championships from Feb 13-18 in Shah Alam.

Joining them will be Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Teoh Mei Xing-Tan Zhing Yi in the doubles while Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, and Siti Nurshuhaini Azman make up the singles players.