Finding the right mix again
Peng Soon-Liu Ying give best display in months to reach final
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying produced their best showing in months to storm into the final of the Australian Open.
The Rio Olympic silver medallists have struggled for form as they only managed a bronze medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last month and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the New Zealand Open last week.
The world No. 46 pulled off a convincing 21-16, 25-23 win over China’s Wang Zekang-Li Yinhui in the semi-finals at the Quay Centre Olympic Park in Sydney yesterday.
It’s Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s first final since the Thailand Masters in January, where they went on to win it.
The seventh-seeded pair now have a chance for a second title when they meet South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung in today’s final.
The scratch Korean combination easily defeated compatriots Choi Solgyu-Kim Ha-na in the other semi-final.
“I think we’re slowly finding our confidence and rhythm after struggling in the last few events,” said Peng Soon.
“Today’s opponents were not that easy. But
they are a new pair, so we won mostly through our experience.”
Liu Ying said: “It feels great to make a final. Our last final was in January and that is quite a while ago.
“We didn’t play well in the last two months and hopefully this result is just what we need.
“As for the final, it will be 50-50. The Koreans are good but they are a scratch pair and it’s the first time we’re meeting them, so anything can happen.”
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, China looked to be rolling out their next generation after little known youngsters Zhou Zeqi and Lu Guangzu set up a final clash.