PASIR GUDANG: Three months ago, shuttlers Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah jumped with joy after winning the Malaysian Open Superseries men’s doubles badminton title.
But there was no such celebration in the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Stadium on Saturday.
The second seeds and heavy favourites gave a toothless display to go down 17-21, 20-22 to qualifiers Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Chayut Triyachart of Singapore in the men’s doubles final.
It was Danny-Triyachart’s first career title.
It wasn’t as if Malaysia were not aware of the Singaporeans’ threat. Danny-Triyachart had already served an early warning when they sent top seeds and Malaysian No. 1 Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong packing on the opening day.
This is Malaysia’s worst ever showing on homeground after failing to win a single title.
But a disappointed Khim Wah took the defeat in his stride.
“It was just not our game. We came to a point where we were not even brave enough to go for attacking shots. We must credit the Singaporeans for their good tactical game,” said Khim Wah.
Khim Wah-V Shem just couldn’t get it right from the start – with both hardly showing any urgency in their game.
Their movements were stiff and they often made poor returns that were easily slammed down by the Singaporeans.
V Shem too put up a brave front, saying they will make a quick rebound in the back-to-back Indian Open and Singapore Open Superseries.
“We wanted so badly to win the title at home again but it did not go according to plan. We will be more prepared for the next two tournaments,” said V Shem.
China were the big winners yesterday, taking home three titles – thanks to their women power.
Lanky Yao Xue nailed her maiden women’s singles title while Huang Yaqiong delivered two – women’s doubles with Yu Xiaohan and mixed doubles with Lu Kai.
Seasoned campaigner Simon Santoso showed that he has not lost his touch by bagging his first title of the year after beating India’s Sourabh Varma 15-21, 21-16, 21-19 in a thrilling men’s singles final.
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