Malaysia mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei pulled off a huge upset in the opening round of the Thailand Open as they sent world number five pair Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping packing on Wednesday.
Chen-Toh, who broke into the world top 20 this week, were fully deserving of their win after upsetting the third seeds 21-15, 19-21, 21-19.
Chen-Toh could have sealed victory in straight games, but conceded two crucial points in the second with the scores tied at 19-19.
They did not make the same mistake in the decider, holding their nerve as the Chinese pair fumbled the final point to give them the win.
Chen-Toh take on Japan’s Yuki Kaneko-Misaki Matsutomo in the second round.
Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See also came through in three tightly contested games, and face Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun next.
In the men’s singles, Ng Tze Yong also progressed after a 21-19, 21-10 victory over Priyanshu Rajawat, but he faces a tough task against top seed Chou Tien-chen on Thursday.
Leong Jun Hao was another stellar standout after the Malaysian beat Sittiom Thammasin 16-21, 21-16, 21-12.
He goes on to face Frenchman Christo Popov on Thursday.
Mixed doubles couple Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, who brilliantly recovered from a game down to win in an entertaining 19-21, 21-15, 21-15 victory, next face Hong King's Tang Chun Man-Tze Ying Suet.
Meanwhile, Goh Jin Wei and mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai had a short-lived outing after exiting the tournament.
Defending champion Lee Zii Jia was absent after feeling unwell following his Malaysia Masters second-round exit last week.
