Sibu: Despite falling short in the Malaysia Masters mixed doubles final last year, Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing were determined not to let that happen again this year when the World No. 9 mixed doubles pair of Malaysia closed out the final against compatriots Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai 21-17, 21-9 to lift the Malaysia Masters title on Sunday.
Goh Soon Huat who started his partnership with Shevon Lai at the end of last year, made a lot of uncharacteristic errors in both set and eventually got beaten badly.
“They were somewhat nervous, probably because this was only their fourth finals,” said Tan Kian Meng after the match.
Tan Kian Meng who started his partnership with Lai Pei Jing in 2015 have made 7 finals, while Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai were paired on October of 2016 have been into fourth finals, winning two of them.
Lai Pei Jing also revealed that she had been playing with a nagging injury on her right leg since the beginning of Malaysia Masters and did not expect to win the mixed doubles title.
“My leg was painful when I was playing and training. I am glad it’s all over now, and I would like to thank Kian Meng for his support throughout the tournament,” said Lai.
In men’s singles, Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong got off to a struggling start after Lee Hyun-il of South Korea took the first set 21-14.
Ng Ka Long then found his groove in the second set when he upped his aggression to win second set 21-15.
The men’s singles decider came to a striking end when Lee Hyun Il suffered the strangest injury in badminton history by hitting his left eye with his own racket. His left eye was bleeding and swollen as if he just finished a boxing match. The umpire had to stop the match and grand Angus Ng Ka Long the victory.
In men’s doubles, Malaysia’s young men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani put up a good fight against Indonesia’s Berry Angriawan-Hardianto Hardianto but could not pull out a win by losing to the Indonesian pair 19-21, 12-21 in the final.
Meanwhile, women’s singles No. 1 seed Saina Nehwal of India had to grit her teeth to survive a stern test against Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand, eventually winning the women’s singles final 22-20, 22-20 in 46 minutes.
The women’s doubles title was won by top seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai of Thailand who beat Hong Kong’s Poon Lok Yan/Tse Ying Suet 21-17, 21-9 in the final.
