PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Wong Vin Sean kept Malaysia’s hopes alive after becoming the country’s only representatives to reach the final of the Malaysia International Challenge in Ipoh, Perak on Saturday (Aug 15).
In the semi-finals at Arena Badminton Perak, fifth seeds Hon Jian-Vin Sean defeated compatriots Goh Boon Zhe-Fazriq Razif 21-11, 20-22, 21-19 in 55 minutes.
This will be Hon Jian-Vin Sean’s second straight final after they won the Philippine International Challenge in Manila two weeks ago.
“I think we were a bit impatient and rushed our game in the second set. That is something we need to work on, especially for tomorrow’s match,” said Hon Jian, who admitted feeling the strain after being taken to a deciding game.
Hon Jian hopes they can go all the way on home soil but does not want the pair to get carried away.
“I hope to become champion, especially since Malaysia is hosting this tournament, but we cannot get too carried away. We just need to focus on improving our game,” he added.
Hon Jian-Vin Sean will face Japan’s Naoya Kawashima-Kota Ogawa, who beat another Malaysian pair Boon Xin Yuan-Lwi Sheng Hao 21-18, 21-16.
Earlier, mixed doubles pair Lau Yi Sheng-Yap Rui Chen also missed out on the final after losing 21-12, 14-21, 14-21 to Ogawa and Misaki Kurashima.
Lim Ming Hong and his American partner Stella Pan, meanwhile, retired from their match against Thailand’s Thanadol Yunmongkol-Nattamon Laisuan while trailing 10-21, 7-11.
