KUALA LUMPUR: The emergence of teammates Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning have pushed China’s Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu to new heights in the women’s doubles.
Shengshu and Tan Ning are only 19 and 20 years old respectively but have proved age is just a number by progressing quickly up the ranks.
The duo only started competing in World Tour events last year but rose to No. 8 in the world rankings after capturing five titles including the French Open.
Shuxian-Zheng Yu, who are Shengshu-Tan Ning’s seniors, have benefitted from the healthy rivalry with the latter.
Shuxian-Zheng Yu defeated the youngsters to capture the Japan Masters title last November.
The pair also won the Hylo Open crown in Germany last year and are only ranked one rung above Shengshu-Tan Ning at No. 7.
Both the pairs have set up a meeting with each other in the Malaysian Open final.
World No. 7 Shuxian-Zheng Yu stole the show by stunning South Korea’s world No. 2 Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee 21-17, 21-17 in the last four at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
It was the Chinese duo’s first win over Ha-na-So-hee after losing both their previous matches.
“This win is really meaningful for us as the Koreans are a really strong pair and we had never beaten them before,” said Shuxian.
“This gives us a lot of confidence and we are happy to reach the final.
“We have a good rivalry with Shengshu-Tan Ning and this has pushed us to become better.”
Meanwhile, Shengshu-Tan Ning brushed past Japan’s world No. 15 Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi 21-11, 21-16 to book their own spot in the final.
A day earlier, the former toppled another of their seniors and world No. 1 Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan 21-12, 17-21, 21-10 in the last eight.
