Betting on doubles power

KUALA LUMPUR: The singles may prove tricky for Malaysia but the team should seal a win purely on their doubles firepower against an under-strength France in the opening Group C match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, today.Malaysia must beat the emerging European power at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre as another victory against Australia on April 29 will confirm their quarter-final berth.The absences of France's elite — men's singles Alex Lanier (world No.

10), men's doubles Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (No. 18) and mixed doubles Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue (No. 10) — have made the mission easier for joint-fifth seed Malaysia.



However, the men's singles could still be tricky as the experienced world No. 62 Arnaud Merkle could make things difficult for world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao who had to battle for three games against the Frenchman at the Arctic Open in Finland in October.

National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is unlikely to deploy Justin Hoh as the world No. 43 was beaten in straight games by Merkle at the Orleans Masters last month.Women's singles world No.

43 Goh Jin Wei should have the upper hand against world No. 81 Leonice Huet but the Malaysian must not take her unheralded opponent lightly in their first meeting.However, Malaysia should not face any problems in the doubles.

The Popov brothers, who won the European title two weeks ago, may pose a strong resistance, but their compatriots Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir don't seem capable of withstanding any of the power-packed Malaysian men's pairs.Any of the three pairs — world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, newly crowned Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No.

4) and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — should outclass Cattoen-Renoir.In the women's doubles, world No.

5 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are a class above Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante while mixed doubles world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are also unlikely to be tested by Gregoire Deschamps-Margot Lambert (No.

120).Malaysia will most likely field their best line-up against France in order to allow the main players to gain momentum.Jun Hao, who is the co-captain of the team with Pearly, will be hoping to have a winning start in order to settle his nerves and prove that he is a worthy foil in the absence of the injured world No.

9 Lee Zii Jia in Xiamen.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.