Korea Masters: Two Malaysian pairs check into semi-finals after fine wins

Goh-Lai had to work hard to ensure their third semi-finals of the year, as they secured a come-from-behind victory to upset third seeded Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun 16-21, 22-20, 22-20 in a fast-paced pulsating one hour contest.

Both pairs had their fair share of unforced errors and risk taking, but it was the Malaysians who kept their nerves intact in both the second and deciding game to come away with the morale boosting victory over the home favourites.

The independent pair will take on China’s second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin for a place in the final.

Shortly after Goh-Lai’s success, national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei joined them after dispatching Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Lin Xiao-min 21-19, 21-17.

The fourth seeded Malaysians were made to battle hard in the opening game before pulling away in the final two points to seal the lead, and it was the same in the second game where they upped the tempo in the final four points.

Chen-Toh have a big hurdle to overcome if they intend to ensure a fourth final of the year, with a showdown against top seeded home pair Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yae-jung to come on Saturday.

Both pairs are the only Malaysians left in this Super 300 event as four other representatives lost.

Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were beaten in straight games by Jiang-Wei, while Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin’s run in the men’s doubles also ended following a 18-21, 10-21 defeat against South Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae.