KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s mixed doubles shuttlers stole the spotlight at the Malaysia Open, as Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai advanced to the semi-finals at the Axiata Arena today.
This marks the first time any Malaysian mixed doubles pair has reached the semi-finals since Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing achieved the feat in 2019.
On Court 1, Tang Jie and Ee Wei showcased solid form, securing a comfortable 21-11, 21-18 victory over Japan’s world number 15 Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito in the quarter-finals.
They now face China’s world number one duo, Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, in their bid for a spot in Sunday’s final.
Ee Wei expressed pride in breaking the long drought for Malaysian mixed doubles in the tournament.
“We are really happy with the victory on home ground, and I’m delighted that our strategy and gameplay worked throughout the match.
“Even though we played on home turf, we approached the match as if we were playing abroad, maintaining the pressure to give our best and win,” she said in a post-match interview.
Earlier, husband-wife pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie continued their stellar form, thrilling the home crowd with a hard-fought 21-15, 22-20 win over China’s world number 11 Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi.
The result also marks a personal milestone for the pair, who had never previously advanced past the early rounds in the tournament’s 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions.
Shevon, who battled a high fever just a day earlier, said the victory held special significance.
“I’m really happy and honoured to reach the semi-finals on home ground, in front of our fans, family, and friends.
“Last year, we experienced victory at the Malaysia Masters. While it wasn’t at the same level as the Malaysia Open, the atmosphere was electrifying. We definitely want to reach the final and relive that feeling,” she added.
Soon Huat and Shevon are set to face Thailand’s Kumamoto Masters champions, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, tomorrow in the semi-finals.
The Malaysian pair recently defeated the Thai duo at the Arctic Open, but the Thais bounced back with a victory en route to their Kumamoto Masters title.
Reflecting on their opponents, Shevon said: “This Thai pair has been performing exceptionally well. They’re fast, accurate, and Dechapol is both powerful and intelligent.
“As a new partnership, they play with less pressure, and their familiarity with our game from shared training sessions makes them particularly challenging,” she added. — January 10, 2025