Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei fought their hearts out but it was not enough to beat China's Paris Olympic champions Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong in the final of the World Tour Finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei went down 18-21, 21-14, 17-21 to Siwei-Yaqiong in a thrilling title match which lasted 75 minutes in Hangzhou on Sunday (Dec 15).
The Malaysian duo oozed class and held their world-class opponents by the jugular in most part of the game but at the end, experienced Siwei-Yaqiong trooped out as the winners as the home fans erupted in great celebration.
It was a perfect end for Siwei, who is retiring from the sport.
Despite the defeat, the world No. 8 pair Tang Jie-Ee Wei can hold their heads high after creating history by becoming the first Malaysian pair to reach the mixed doubles final in the season ender since the tournament's inception in 2008.
It was also Tang Jie-Ee Wei's biggest achievement in their careers so far and they took home US$ 100,000 (RM 443,000) in prize money for their runners-up finish.
