ACID TEST AWAITS SOON HUAT-SHEVON

Malaysian duo face Indonesia’s Olympic champs in Singapore Open final

GOH Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are just a match away from clinching the Singapore Open title but taking on Indonesia’s Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir will be the Malaysian duo’s real litmus test.

Yesterday, the Malaysian mixed doubles reached their second final this season, after exacting revenge over Thailand’s Dechapol PuavaranukrohSapsiree Taerattanachai with a convincing 21-18, 21-14 win in the semifinals.

Just last month, the Thai pair knocked Soon Huat-Shevon out in the first round of the Malaysia Open.

Soon Huat-Shevon, who are bound for the World Championships in Nanjing, China, now want to boost their confidence ahead of the tournament by giving the world No 1 Indonesians a run for their money.

“We are very happy to reach the final, because our on court performance in this tournament has been solid.

“Soon Huat and I are excited to be up against the Olympic champions. It will be a great experience.

“Tontowi-Liliyana have won almost every major title out there. They are the pair to beat.

“It will be a huge confidence boost for us if we can put up a strong fight against the world’s best,” said Shevon.

Tontowi-Liliyana, who will not be competing in the World Championships (to focus on the Asian Games next month), chalked up a 26-24, 21-17 win over teammates Akbar Bintang Cahyono-Winny Oktavina Kandow in the last four.

Soon Huat-Shevon, currently ranked World No 8, already have a title under their belt this season, when they came out tops in the German Open in March.