What keeps Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong going?

The Chinese duo, on a hot streak of wins with 11 titles in their last 12 events, have a simple mantra. “We don’t overthink,” says Zheng, appearing quite at ease after the world champions made the second round of the YONEX SUNRISE India Open 2023.

And the physical toll of all the matches under their belt?

“Eat well, sleep well, always have a goal to pursue. Always have a short-term goal. We never think of long-term goals. We only think of the next match.

“We just want to play well and do our best every day, every match. Maybe this is why we do so well.”

The world champions are well on course to being regarded as all-time greats; such has been their domination of the circuit ever since they came together in late 2017.

The India Open is one of the few titles Zheng hasn’t won. He was in the final here in 2017, where – incidentally – he lost to his current partner. Huang and then-partner Lu Kai beat Zheng and Chen Qing Chen in the final.

“She’s always played well in India,” says Zheng, of Huang.

What makes her such an ideal partner?

“She’s very intelligent and always calms me down when I’m anxious. She makes sure that my mind is going in the right direction. We have great interaction and that makes us go well.”