Singapore: The World No. 15 mixed doubles pair – Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Jemie Lai became the only players from Malaysia who are still competing at the 2022 Singapore Open when they managed to end their 0-5 losing streak at the hands of Hong Kong pair – the World No. 7 Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet after eliminating Tang/Tse in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open on Friday.
Goh/Lai came back from 10-16, 17-20 to win the first game 22-20. Although they lost the second game 16-21, they staged another remarkable comeback in the decider, coming from 12-17 to eventually take the third set 21-18.
“I think today they made a lot of simple mistakes. We were able to control the game well. I hope we can maintain this momentum in the next game,” said Lai.
However, a tough test awaits Goh/Lai in the semi-finals as they are set to play World No. 2 Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taetrattanachai of Thailand. The Thailand pair has a slight advantage over Goh/Lai with an 8-7 career head-to-head record. However, in their last meeting, it was Goh/Lai who came out on top by beating Puavaranukroh/Taetrattanachai in the 2022 Indonesia Open first round 21-18, 7-21, 22-20.
“We’ve met them many times. So we’re going to prepare in terms of game strategy and get ready for a tough match. We have to control our emotions and thoughts,” added Lai.
In men’s singles, World No. 47 Ng Tze Yong lost to Indonesian World No. 6 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 15-21, 12-21 on Friday.
Ginting will face home favorite, the reigning World Champion – Loh Kean Yew for a place in the final.
Loh became the first Singaporean player to make the Singapore Open semi-final in 15 years (Ronald Susilo made the semi-finals at the 2007 Singapore Open), after beating Li Shi Feng of China 21-15, 21-18 in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the Indonesia team has monopolized the men’s doubles semi-finals as Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin will meet Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan while Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani are scheduled to take on Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Saturday.
