Goh and Shevon in jubilation after defeating the Indonesian pair to qualify for the today’s final. — Photo by Othman Ishak
SIBU: Fast rising Malaysian mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai surpassed all expectations to check into the final of the Victor Far East Malaysia Masters held at Sibu Indoor Stadium here.
They surprisingly beat the more highly-rated Indonesian pair Tontowi Ahmad-Gloria Emmanuella Widjaja in straight sets 21-17, 21-18 in the semi-final.
The Malaysians were actually scheduled to fly to India before the end of the tournament to take part in another international event in India.
“Yes… we are supposed to fly to India tonight and I think they have to change the flight for us now since we have qualified for the finals. We never thought we will be in the finals and we are happy with our performance thus far,” Shevon said in the post-match interview.
“I am very grateful to my partner for giving me the solid back up during the match.
“He was a bit nervous initially but his good performance made my game more comfortable and we just hope for the bets in tomorrow final match,” she added.
Shevon explained that the Indonesian pair’s style of play suited them and that provided them the confidence.
“Our game plan is more split since I am a left-handed player while my partner is a right handed-player and their style of play suits our style. So it’s very comfortable for us.”
Shevon admitted that they were quite nervous initially but, as the game proceeded, they managed to get hold of their rhythm.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s women’s doubles pair of Lim Yin Loo-Yap Cheng Wen went all the way before crashing out to Hongkong’s Poon Lok Yan-Tse Ying Suet 20-22, 22-20, 15-21.
With the partisan crowd behind them Yin Loo and Cheng Wen fought hard to the bitter end only to be reduced to tears.
In the men’s singles, South Korea veteran Lee Hyun Il showed his experience to send Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto packing 21-17, 21-18 to storm into the final.
In other closely contested semi-finals, tournament No. 2 seed Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong lost to Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 19-21, 22-20, 18-21 in women’s singles while Indonesia’s Berry Amgriawan-Hardianto Hardianto edged Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo-Yuta Watanabe 22-20, 21-19 in the men’s doubles.
The finals will be played today.