KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie gave Malaysia a good start on the second day of the home Open after reaching the second round.
The world No. 6 pair defeated Americans Presley Smith-Jennie Gai 21-15, 21-19 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday (Jan 8).
Soon Huat-Shevon will play the winners of the first-round match between India’s K. Satish Kumar-Aadya Variyath and Ashith Surya-P. Amrutha.
The independent pair captured the Malaysian Masters title last May and are hoping to end the country’s 60-year wait for a mixed doubles champion in the home Open.
1965 winners Teh Kew San-Ng Mei Ling were the last homesters to capture the mixed doubles crown in the Malaysian Open.