V Shem-Wee Kiong storms into Swiss Open final

Goh V Shem (left) and Tan Wee Kiong in action against Gideon Markus Fernaldi-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia in the Swiss Open semi-finals. V Shem-Wee Kiong won 21-19, 21-19. - EPA

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong finally lived up to expectations after storming into the final of the Swiss Open.

The world No. 56, who have been struggling for form since V Shem’s knee injury last October, were in great form as they defeated a tricky Indonesian pairing – Gideon Markus Fernaldi-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 21-19, 21-19 in Basel.

It was a superb effort as the seventh seeded Indonesians started stronger before V Shem-Wee Kiong fought back slowly but steadily to overcome a 13-18 deficit in the first game.

They were trailing in the second game as well, down 17-19 before reeling in four straight points to clinch their first final appearance in an Open tournament.

“So far so good ... and I believe we definitely played well today against the Indonesians,” said V Shem.

“But we have one match to go and there is a lot more work to be done to prepare for it.

“We definitely want to do well because it will be important for our ranking points.”

The Commonwealth Games gold medallists will meet either third seeds Cai Yun-Lu Kai of China or eighth seeds Max Schwenger-Josche Zurwonne of Germany in the final.

V Shem-Wee Kiong are the sole Malaysians left in the Swiss meet after women’s pair Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho bowed out in the quarter-finals on Friday.