Peng SoonLiu Ying falter at last hurdle in Sydney

PETALING JAYA: Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Ying wasted a good chance to boost their world ranking after losing in the mixed doubles final at the Australian Open.

The world No. 60 went down 12-21, 21-23 to Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yujung of South Korea at the Quay Centre Olympic Park in Sydney yesterday.

Peng Soon-Liu Ying resumed their partnership in January after an eight-month break due to the latter’s shoulder surgery.

They made a winning comeback at the Thailand Masters in January and were only featuring in their second final in Australia yesterday.

“Our opponents played way better than us. We stepped up in the second game but it was too late and we failed to win,” said Liu Ying.

“Peng Soon and I are trying our best to improve our world ranking but we’re not moving up much. Winning a title here would have given us lots of valuable ranking points.”

Without a good ranking, Peng Soon-Liu Ying will have to continue to play in lower-ranked tournaments. A top-32 standing will give them the right to play in major tournaments on the World Tour.

Their next assignment is the US Open in Fullerton, California, from June 12-17. Their main event after this is the World Championships in Nanjing, China, in August.

FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Lu Guangzu (Chn) bt Zhou Zeqi (Chn) 21-8, 23-21.

Men’s doubles: Berry Angriawan-Hardianto Hardianto (Ina) bt Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pangkaryanira-Ade Yusuf Santoso (Ina) 21-9, 9-21, 21-15.

Women’s singles: Cai Yanyan (Chn) bt Ayumi Mine (Jpn) 21-14, 21-13.

Women’s doubles: Ayako Sakuramoto-Yukiko Takahata (Jpn) bt Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu-rim (Kor) 23-21, 21-18.

Mixed doubles: Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yujung (Kor) bt Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (Mas) 21-12, 23-21.