Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei said their Korea Open mixed doubles title triumph was a Merdeka Day gift to the country, while Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah ended their campaign in Seoul after a second place finish.
Chen-Toh gifted Malaysia the perfect independence day present after being crowned Korea Open mixed doubles champions after they came from a game down to beat China’s Guo Xin Wa-Li Qian 17-21, 21-13, 21-13.
The 59-minute victory also marked the biggest achievement for the world number nine pair after securing their maiden Super 500 title.
It was also their first title since winning the Taipei Open title last year.
“We want to gift this victory to the country as a ‘Merdeka Day’ present. We came out with the intention to give it our best shot, and we did not let our heads drop despite losing the first game,” said the pair, who were utterly dominant in the second and third game to claim the deserved victory.
Tan-Thinaah meanwhile finished as runners-up after they lost against home pair Jeong Na-eun-Kim Hye-jeong 12-21, 11-21.
The Malaysians started off well and took a 11-10 lead in the first game, but the South Koreans were a different proposition after the interval as they only allowed Tan-Thinaah a single point for the lead.
The national pair could not get anything going their way in the second game, as Jeong-Kim won the point for the longest rally of the match with a deflected shot off the net, and after that Tan’s winner at the net was ruled out due to infringement.
Jeong-Kim went on to claim the win in front of their home fans after the 44-minute victory.
Tan-Thinaah can still be proud of their efforts to reach the final, with the highlight of their tournament coming on Saturday when they sent world number two pair Baek Ha-na-Lee Soo-he packing in the semi-finals.
