KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Teoh Mei Xing will return to mixed doubles following her women’s doubles partner Go Pei Kee’s decision to leave the national setup.

The move comes as the BA of Malaysia are running out of options to pair Mei Xing with another women’s doubles partner.

Mei Xing, 29, previously partnered Anna Cheong before the latter retired due to a knee injury, and later formed a combination with Pei Kee.

National coach Nova Widianto said he sees potential for Mei Xing in mixed doubles.

Before moving to women’s doubles, she had played mixed doubles with Hoo Pang Ron and Tee Kai Wun, though the partnerships were short-lived.

Mei Xing will now partner 19-year-old Tan Zhi Yang in mixed doubles.

The new pair will be tested at the Singapore International Challenge from Feb 24 to March 1.

“For now, she does not have a fixed partner yet,” Nova said.

“We will try pairing her with Tan Zhi Yang first and see how it goes.”

Nova said expectations are high for a senior player competing at that level.

“For a senior competing in an IC tournament, the measure is not just to play well,” he said.

“They must reach the final or become champion, that is the minimum.”

The coach said if the results are good, they will become a permanent pair.

“Although it is a new partnership, I expect results to be good as Mei Xing is a seasoned player,” he added