Better and better: Since 2016, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie have never advanced past the second round but this time they reached their first semi-finals. — FAIHAN GHANI/tHE sTAR
Gloomy ending but Man-Tee and few others show promise
KUALA LUMPUR: It is not all disappointment for Malaysian badminton in the home tournament.
Few players still managed to leave a lasting impression with their standout performances and one of the brightest sparks were the men’s doubles players Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun at the Malaysian Open that ended on Sunday at Axiata Arena.
The duo exceeded expectations by reaching the semi-finals and showed they can work their way up to be a dependable second ranked pair in the future, alongside seniors Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
When the two-time Olympic Games bronze medal winners Aaron-Wooi Yik were down and out in the second round, Wei Chong-Kai Wun stepped up to keep the flag flying.
The duo stood firm, showed remarkable consistency and determination before their impressive run was halted by Chen Boyang-Liu Yi of China. The world No. 14 did well to push Boyang-Liu Yi to the limit but experience ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, as the higher ranked China pair edged them out in the end.
The extra spring in Wei Chong-Kai Wun’s steps at this year’s Malaysian Open may also have been motivated by their desire to give their coach, Tan Bin Shen, the perfect farewell gift as he embarks on a new career in Hong Kong.
Outgoing coach Bin Shen was happy to see their growth.
“Wei Chong-Kai Wun played well and exceeded our target. They have much more to offer for the country,” said Bin Shen.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky added that if the duo could spice up their game and play more intelligently, they can keep pace with the best in the world.
Although they did not go all the way to win the title, it was still Wei Chong-Kai Wun’s best performance after losing in the early round of the past three editions since 2022.
Credit must also be given to the professional mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jamie.
Although they were unable to end an eight-year wait to have a finalist in this event, they did improve their personal record in the home meet.
Since 2016, Shevon-Soon Huat have never advanced past the second round. However, this time they displayed remarkable determination, reaching their first semi-finals.
What’s even more impressive is that despite being in their mid-30s and considered veterans, Soon Huat-Shevon proved they could still compete with younger pairs.Shevon deserves special praise for maintaining her high fighting spirit, even while battling a fever, before their dream run was halted by eventual champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran of Thailand in the semi-finals.
For Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, there is still room for improvement in their quest to become the world’s best mixed doubles pair.
Experience, as well as mental and emotional control, were key factors that made the difference when they lost to world No. 1 pair Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping in the semis.
Overall, having three semi-finallists is still better than last year’s results, where all Malaysian players were sent home in the early rounds.
All eyes will now shift to the Indian Open starting today and Wei Chong-Kai Wun will not have the chance to build on that momentum at the Indian Open when they face homesters Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, the runners-up from last year’s edition.
Shevon-Soon Huat will enter as the fourth seeds and will face Indonesia’s Rinov Rivaldy-Lisa Kusumati in the first round while third seeds Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin.
