Shuttle’s in your court, pros

PETALING JAYA: Professionals Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will have a good opportunity to play for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup Finals if they remain consistent in the Europe stints.

On Saturday, the world No. 12 made it to the semi-finals of the German Open before going down 5-21, 15-21 to China’s world No. 14 He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu in Mulheim.

Despite the one-sided defeat, it was their first semi-final this year and they have a strong chance of getting the nod for the team meet from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu if they continue their encouraging performances in their next competitions in Europe.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi will next play in the French Open starting tomorrow in Paris and next week’s All-England from March 12-17 in Birmingham. They will also be out to make their mark in the Swiss Open from March 19-24 in Basel.

National coaching director Rexy Mainaky is keeping his options open.

“I will decide on the team for the Thomas Cup Finals after looking at Yew Sin-Ee Yi and our other pairs’ performances in Europe,” said Rexy.

“So, consistency matters for all if they hope to be selected.”

Yew Sin-Ee Yi were not selected to play at the Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam last month.

The other pairs who will be fighting for spots in the Thomas Cup squad are world No. 19 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 18) and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri (No. 39).

While national No. 1 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik look certain to get on the plane to Chengdu, two spots remain open.

In the French tourney, Yew Sin-Ee Yi have a tough task in the first round against India’s world No. 1 and Asian Games champions Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

Aaron-Wooi Yik will open their campaign against Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel while Sze Fei-Izzuddin will take on Taiwan’s Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen.

Victories for both will see them face each other in the second round.

Meanwhile, Wei Chong-Kai Wun should have no problems navigating their opening match against unheralded Canadians Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander.