An outrageous decision by the umpire proved the catalyst downfall for top seeds Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, who controversially lost in the mixed doubles as Lee Zii Jia inched his way to within a game of the final at the Swiss Open.
Chan sent a forehand smash return that was well inside the court as the pair trailed 10-14 to Danish duo Mathias Christiansen-Alexander Boje in the second set, having won the first 21-14.
Both pairs took a short water break and Chan-Goh waited for the shuttle to make their serve, but instead the umpire awarded the point in the Danes’ favour.
The Malaysians immediately went to remonstrate with the umpire on the decision, but he was heard telling the pair the line judge had ‘called it out’.
It was unclear if the court had the HawkEye technology for Chan-Goh to review the shuttle’s final destination, but in truth they did not have to, seeing that the shuttle was well in.
That decision clearly affected their performance, as they succumbed 19-21 in the second set before losing the third 15-21.
Lee meanwhile qualified for his first semi-final in a year after a dominant performance to beat India’s B.Sai Praneeth 21-14, 21-17 and will next face Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn for a place in the men's singles final.
If the Malaysian wins, he could set up a showdown against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, who plays K.Srikanth of India in the other semis.
In the men’s doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are the only pair left, as they beat Indonesians Leo Rolly-Daniel Marthin 21-18, 9-21, 21-16 to face Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel in the semis.
Malaysia are guaranteed a place in the final of the women’s doubles as Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean are set to play each other in the last four.
Both pairs overcame their opponents in straight games for the clash.
Chow-Lee had recently beaten their national team-mates in the Thailand Open 2 in January.
Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing are the only pair left in the mixed doubles after they overcame Indian duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Ashwini Ponnapa 21-17, 16-21, 21-18. They face French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue for a final spot.
Gicquel-Delrue had earlier beaten Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai 14-21, 21-14, 21-19.
