Young ’uns get it right
Kian Meng-Pei Jing march into final
PETALING JAYA: Youngsters Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have given themselves another opportunity to lift their maiden international title after storming into the mixed doubles final in the Vietnam Open GP tournament in Ho Chi Minh City.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing got the better of Indonesian second seeds Hafiz Faisal-Shella Devi Aulia in a tight semi-final contest yesterday.
The Malaysian third seeds won 23-21, 21-19 in 45 minutes to secure their fourth straight final appearance this year.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, who were only paired up late last year, are now the second ranked pair in the country after Rio Olympic-bound Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying but have no international title to their name.
They made three finals this year, but lost all three – in the Malaysia Masters in January, Poland International in March and Taiwan Open earlier this month.
The only hurdle standing between Kian Meng-Pei Jing and a maiden title today is another Indonesian pair – Alfian Eko Prasetya-Annisa Saufika.
“I didn’t perform well today, but luckily my partner did and we made it to the final again. I wish we can make it this time. We have never played them before ... hopefully, we can handle the pressure and perform well,” said an optimistic Pei Jing.
There were more cheers for Malaysia as independent shuttlers Chong Wei Feng and former top doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong won their respective semi-finals.
Wei Feng bested Firman Abdul Kholik of Indonesia 21-19, 21-15 to set up a chance for his first international men’s singles title since quitting the national team earlier this year.
Wei Feng faces Hong Kong’s Vincent Wong Wing Ki in the final. Vincent beat Taiwan’s Lin Yu-hsien 21-11, 21-17 in the other semi-final.
Former All-England men’s doubles champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong proved too strong for fellow Malaysians Lim Khim WahOng Jian Guo, winning 21-14, 21-10 in just 28 minutes.
The top-seeded Kien Keat-Boon Heong will play second seeds Lee Jhe-huei-Lee Yang of Taiwan in the final.
Malaysia’s women’s singles shuttler Sonia Cheah’s run came to an end after losing to Singapore's Yeo Jia Min.
Sonia, who came through the qualifying rounds, lost the semi-final clash 17-21, 12-21.