KUALA LUMPUR: If you ever see Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah play, it’s always dire and scary to see Lim Khim Wah serves. They almost allowed the China pair to force a rubber game in the Malaysia Open on January, due to several service faults called against the Malaysian pair at the end of the second set in men’s doubles final.
Although Lim Khim Wah and Goh V Shem were able to capture the Malaysian Open title eventually, but they have been struggling for form since.
Nevertheless, Khim Wah remained very positive: “No one doubles pair is being dominant in the men’s doubles nowadays. We still have plenty of chances to win more tournaments.”
So far this year, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark has captured Korean Open and Indian Open, Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia won All-England and Cai Yun-Lu Kai of China has conquered Singapore Open.
“V Shem and I have a few more weeks to sharpen our games and movement on court, my service should improve by then” said Khim Wah.
Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem will play as the second men’s doubles pair for the Malaysia in the Thomas Cup. The also struggling world no. 7 Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong will be the first men’s doubles for Malaysia.
Malaysia is in Group C of Thomas Cup draws together with South Korea, India and Germany. Malaysia will face tough challenge from Korea especially after Badminton World Federation (BWF) lifted the one-year suspension of Lee Yong-dae and Kim Ki-jung.
With that, South Korea will have a formidable line up – with world No. 4 Kim Sa-rang-Ki-jung as the top pair and world No. 9 Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong as the second combination.
“I am not worrying too much about the Korea pairs; V Shem and I are capable of beating any top pairs if we play well. For now, we just want to work on improving our game,” said Khim Wah.
Malaysia’s Thomas and Uber Cup teams will begin the training camp at the Juara Stadium from May 4-13.
