Tuesday, 12 Nov 2024

News | BWF World Championships

News | BWF World Championships

The Dutch mixed doubles pair, Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek, have been making waves in the badminton world this year. With notable victories in Asia, they are determined to continue their progress and create an impact at the upcoming TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019 in August.

A Promising Run

Tabeling and Piek have achieved significant milestones as a pair, reaching the semifinals at the Malaysia Masters and German Open earlier this year. They also remain undefeated in four matches at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019, contributing to their team’s third-place finish in Group 2.

News | BWF World Championships

Their impressive performance sets a positive foundation for their participation in the World Championships in Basel. Ranked 44th in the world, they are confident in their abilities and have set their sights on reaching the quarterfinals.

“It’s a great confidence boost for us in the run-up to Basel,” said Tabeling, after defeating Germany’s Marvin Seidel/Isabel Herttrich in Nanning. “I think we can cause some upsets there. It’s still a long way, but we’re aiming for a quarterfinal. I can dare to say that, especially if you beat pairs like this.”

Preparations and Expectations

After their successful show in Nanning, where they also defeated Ronan Labar/Anne Tran and Seidel/Herttrich, attention now turns to the European Games before the pair begins their preparations for Basel.

“Our performance here means we are on the right track,” said Piek. “Despite a setback a few weeks ago when Robin was ill, we feel that we’re progressing with each match. Personally, I gain a lot of confidence from defeating strong pairs like Labar and Tran, who won the Denmark International. They’re a top-20 pair, so it’s a good tournament for us.”

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News | BWF World Championships

The European Games in June hold significant importance for them as they strive to win a medal and secure vital Olympic qualification points. While their ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympics, their immediate focus is on delivering strong performances in the upcoming tournaments.

Tabeling and Piek initially played with different partners before deciding to join forces this year. This strategic move has proven successful, with impressive results such as being quarterfinalists at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters, semifinalists at the Malaysia Masters and German Open, and winners of the Austria Open and Brazil International Challenge. Notably, they have defeated top-ranked pairs like Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock, Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino, Yuki Kaneko/Misaki Matsutomo, and Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti.

“In Malaysia, we had two-three good wins over top-ten pairs and Olympic medalists, so we gained a lot of confidence from that,” Tabeling shared. “We found the rhythm on court and in practice, helping each other with high-speed play under pressure. We even managed to surprise some pairs.”

News | BWF World Championships

Communication and Growth

Despite their strong start as a new combination, Tabeling and Piek acknowledge the importance of continuously working on their on-court relationship.

“The most important thing is communication on court,” Tabeling emphasized. “Each person is different, and we need to approach them accordingly. Learning how to understand each other is the hardest part. If we agree on certain situations and know what to do, playing badminton is not a problem. However, communication between points and even outside the court is crucial because it’s far more intense.”

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“It takes time, but it’s also a little bit instinctive,” added Piek. “You need to feel how he’s doing on court. You really get to know each other when times are tough. We’ve had our struggles, but those moments have helped us grow as individuals. We maintain complete honesty with each other, which is crucial for the growth of our relationship and partnership.”

FAQs

1. Who are Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek?
Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek are a mixed doubles badminton pair from the Netherlands. They have achieved significant success in various tournaments, defeating top-ranked pairs.

2. What are their achievements this year?
As a pair, Tabeling and Piek reached the semifinals at the Malaysia Masters and German Open. They also won the Austria Open and Brazil International Challenge. They have defeated notable pairs such as Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock and Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino.

3. What are their goals for the upcoming tournaments?
Their immediate focus is on the European Games, where they aim to win a medal and secure Olympic qualification points. Ultimately, they strive to qualify for the Olympics and perform well in the TOTAL BWF World Championships in Basel.

Conclusion

Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek’s partnership has proven successful, with notable victories and a promising performance at various tournaments. Their determination and focus on communication are key factors in their progress. As they continue their journey in the badminton world, all eyes will be on their performances in the European Games and the TOTAL BWF World Championships. Stay tuned for more updates from Carnegiecentre.

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