Peng Soon-Liu Ying still searching for a way to break Yilyu-Dongping

PETALING JAYA: Independent mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are looking for quick answers after another defeat to Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping of China.

The world No. 5 had hoped to end their losing streak against Yilyu-Dongping but instead, they fell flat with a 10-21, 6-21 loss in a 31-minute semi-final match at the Japan Open in Tokyo yesterday.

It’s Yilyu-Dongping’s fourth straight victory, and the easiest yet, over the Malaysians in six meetings. Peng Soon-Liu Ying won the first two encounters.

Liu Ying was naturally frustrated with their loss.

“It’s just not good enough for us,” said Liu Ying.

“Having come this far, we definitely wanted to try and win it but we were stopped by Yilyu-Dongping again. They have scrutinised our game so thoroughly!

“There will be many more meetings against them in the future and we must find the answer to overcome them.”

“After the match, Peng Soon and I sat down with coach (Chew Choon Eng) and have come out with a game plan. Hopefully we can make it after the Thailand Open next week.”

Peng Soon was also disheartened after falling short to reach the final for a third consecutive time. They were the semi-finalists in 2016 and 2018 but they have won the title once in 2012.

“Our opponents were in their element and caught us off guard. They were in complete control of the match and prevented us from playing our game,” lamented Peng Soon.

“We simply couldn’t find the solution to turn the situation around. We will find a way to beat them.”

Yilyu-Dongping will be aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2017 when the face Indonesia’s Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti in today’s final.