Let’s Goh all the way!

Jin Wei reaches first final of the year at Taiwan Open

PETALING JAYA: Youngster Goh Jin Wei (pic) seems to be hitting form at the right time.

The 17-year-old found her touch to sweep aside Japan’s Haruko Suzuki to reach the final of Taiwan Open badminton championships yesterday.

The world No. 44 showed no signs of her early season struggles as she claimed a 21-16, 21-17 win in 46 minutes at the Taipei Arena.

This is the first time the 2015 world junior champion has reached a final this year, following early exits in her last five tournaments.

It is also Jin Wei’s second GP Gold final appearance after her runner-up finish at the Indonesian Masters last year.

This clearly bodes well for her ahead of the KL SEA Games from Aug 19-30.

Jin Wei takes on Japanese youngster Saena Kawakami in the final as she seeks her fourth career title.

The 19-year-old Kawakami outplayed compatriot Natsumi Shimoda 21-8, 21-15 in the other semi-final.

“Jin Wei played well today. She was patient and did not rush in for the kill,” said national singles coach Sairul Amar Ayob.

“It’s a good boost for her making the final after her struggles earlier this year. I hope she will regain her confidence.

“I hope she continues to show her fighting spirit in the final.”

While Jin Wei is flying high, men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia and men’s doubles pair Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen have failed to get past their higher-ranked semi-final opponents.

World No. 109 Zii Jia, 19, gave a good account of himself despite losing 21-15, 10-21, 12-21 to Taiwan’s world No. 6 Chou Tien-chen.

“I didn’t expect to take a game off a top-10 player. It’s a good experience for me. I know what I need to improve on now,” said Zii Jia.

World No. 31 Kah Ming-Juan Shen also gave home favourites and world No. 15 Chen Hungling-Wang Chi-lin a scare before going down 14-21, 21-19, 13-21.