KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 – Malaysia’s flag is still flying high in the Yonex Thailand Open Super 1000 tournament at Impact Arena in Bangkok- thanks to former world number one Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in the men’s doubles.
The Rio Olympics silver medallists woke up after a tough first game to dump Indonesian world junior champions Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin 21-19, 21-10 in 29 minutes to advance to Sunday’s final.
The Malaysian professionals will face either Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei or the Korean pair of Choi Sol Gyu-Seo Seung Jae in the final.
V Shem-Wee Kiong is the only hope for a title in the tournament after a disappointing day in the quarter-finals when men’s singles hope Lee Zii Jia was a flop in his match against second-seeded Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. The Malaysian lost 17-21, 15-21.
Mixed doubles medal prospects Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying were also disappointing in their quarter-finals against Thai top seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree and were shown the exit with the home pair winning 21-18, 21-17.
Liu Ying later admitted that she was hampered by a back injury and this saw her struggle in her game against the aggressive Thais.
 ”I hope to be in better shape in the next tournament,” said Liu Ying who won the silver medal with Peng Soon at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The tournament Super 1000 tournament is the Toyota Thailand Open which begins on Tuesday.
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