Ho Chi Minh City: After ending up as the runners-up at Malaysia Masters, Polish Open and Taiwan Open this year, Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing have finally won an international title at Vietnam Open on Sunday.
The Malaysian pair shaping up a bit differently on Sunday compared to their quarter-final and semi-final matches, they were far more dominant in the final, breezing past Alfian Eko Prasetya/Annisa Saufika of Indonesia 21-16, 21-11 in 35 minutes.
“We finally win our maiden international title,” said Tan.
“Kian Meng will be heading to Rio as one of the sparring partner for the national team next. We have not schedule our next tournament yet, but it’ll most likely be the Indonesia GP Gold,” said Lai.
The mixed doubles champions brought home US$4,345 while the runners-up earned prize money of US$2,090.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong came up short in the final, after allowing Taiwanese pair of Lee Yang/Lee Jhe-huei came from behind to claim victory in the men’s doubles event. Koo/Tan won the first set with 21-18, however, but the Malaysian pair seemed to lack stamina to win the title, especially they could barely match the speed of their opponents in the decider by going down 14-21, 7-21 in the last two sets.
Another Malaysian player – Chong Wei Feng could not convert his chances in men’s singles final too, bowing out to Hong Kong’s Vincent Wong Wing Ki 12-21, 21-14, 13-21 in 57 minutes.
Chong made US$2,090 after the loss while Wong pocketed US$4,125.
Singapore’s 17-year-old Yeo Jia Min became the youngest winner of the day when she defeated Japan’s Ayumi Mine in straight sets, winning 21-14, 21-17 in 40 minutes.
“I didn’t feel any pressures, I just kept my focus in the game,” said Yeo.
“The victory gave me a lot of confident to take on higher ranked player in the future,” added Yeo.
Vietnam Open was the last senior level international tournament prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics. It offered total prize money of USD50,000.
