Good fight: Malaysia's Tan Kian Meng (R) and Lai Pei Jing playing against China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin during their mixed doubles semi-final match in the Indonesian Open at Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta. - AP
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing's gallant run in the Indonesian Open came to an end in the semi-finals but they will return home US$18,200 (RM85,540) richer.
World No. 21 Kian Meng-Pei Jing went down 16-21, 18-21 to China's world No. 5 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin at the Istora Senayan on Satuday (June 8).
Kian Meng and Pei Jing can still be proud of their efforts after making it to their first semi-final of the year despite the latter losing most of her life savings to scammers recently.
Losing semi-finalists in the top-tier tournament get RM85,540. The champions get to take home US$96.200 (RM451,557) while the runners-up win US$45,500 (RM213,500).
The independent pair were hoping to reach their first ever final in a World Tour Super 1000 competition but found it hard to overcome the Chinese pair, whom they have never beaten before.
"Our opponents were more consistent than us today," said Pei Jing.
"Overall, we are quite satisfied with our performance in this competition but we still lack consistency and we need to work on it."
It was Zhenbang-Yaxin's third win over Kian Meng-Pei Jing and they will next take on world No. 1 teammates Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong for the title.
Siwei-Yaqiong booked their spot in the final after edging Thailand's 2021 world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-19, 21-19.
