KUALA LUMPUR − Malaysia’s professional mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing ended a five-year title drought when they emerged champions at the Korean Open badminton championships today.
All the more sweeter, the duo beat hosts’ pair Ko Sung Hyun-Eom Hye Won in the final, which lasted 50 minutes, at the Palma Stadium, Suncheon.
In the third meeting between the two pairs, Kian Meng-Pei Jing put on a sterling performance to extend their previous two-win record over the South Koreans by defeating the duo once again in straight sets.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, who were the only Malaysian shuttlers to get past the quarterfinals, proved to be the superior pair when they recorded a 21-15 victory in the first set.
Sung Hyun-Hye Won tried to bounce back in the second set by attempting to drag the match to the decider but their efforts failed as the Malaysian pair continued to dominate with a 21-18 win.
The victory saw Kian Meng-Pei Jing emerge as the first Malaysian pair to win a title at the Korean Open.
The last time they won a major title was at the Far East Malaysia Masters in 2017, which was held in Sibu, Sarawak. – Bernama, April 10, 2022
_and_Lai_Pei_Jing_(R)-Badminton_Photo_pic.jpg)
