File pix of former players Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty.
PETALING JAYA: Former women’s doubles world No. 1 Wong Pei Tty is happy to see that Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have done better than her.
And the 43-year-old wants to see the younger pairs go all the way to win the country's first mixed and women's doubles titles.
Pei Tty partnered Koo Kien Keat to win the country's first and only mixed doubles medal - a bronze at the 2006 edition in Madrid.
In the women's doubles, Pei Tty has never gone beyond the quarter-finals with Chin Ee Hui.
On Aug 31 (Sunday) Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face world No. 2 pair Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China (7pm) while Pearly-Thinaah's title match opponents are top seeds Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning (8.40pm)
“It’s inspiring to see our Malaysian players finally end the drought and reach the World Championships finals in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Hopefully they can go all the way and win the first gold in both events,” said Pei Tty when contacted.
It is a landmark for Malaysian badminton as this is the first time in 48 years that the country has finalists in both events.
Pei Tty believes both Malaysian pairs are capable of producing another magical moment in Paris.
“I believe they can handle the pressure well and continue to surprise us,” she said.
