PETALING JAYA: Teaming up with Jimmy Wong is proving to be the right decision for shuttler Lai Pei Jing.
Jimmy and Pei Jing impressed by upstaging several higher ranked pairs to reach the mixed doubles final in their first World Tour outing together in the Super 300 Macau Open.
Currently ranked 127th in the world, the duo, who only combined in March, lost 13-21, 16-21 to Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje in the final at the Macau East Asian Games Dome on Sunday.
Despite missing out on their first title together, Pei Jing, who will turn 33 on Friday, was happy to defy her age and get on the podium again in the World Tour.
She last won a World Tour title in 2022 in the Korean Open with former partner Tan Kian Meng.
Pei Jing finished runners-up last year in the women’s doubles with Lim Chiew Sien in the Australian Open.
“It feels great to be back on the tour and to be able to stand on the podium again,” said Pei Jing.
“To be honest, I never expected that. I’m happy for Jimmy too. I’m happy with his performance throughout the week.
“Hopefully, we can keep this momentum and get better. This is just the beginning.
“I know there will be more obstacles after this for us to go through but I guess I’m really for it.
“I’ll wait for the silver to turn gold one day.”
Jimmy, who turns 23 later this month, and Pei Jing were the first Malaysians to reach a World Tour final in the mixed doubles this year.
In fact, the pair have reached the final in four out of the six tournaments they have competed in so far.
Jimmy-Pei Jing also made it into the title match in the Vietnam International Challenge, Phuket International Series and St Denis Reunion Open but finished runners-up all three times.
The pair will be out to clinch their first title together when they team up next in the Super 100 China Masters from Sept 2-7.
