PETALING JAYA: National men's doubles shuttlers Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are back in business and they have a French Open title to prove it.
The world No. 11 pair overcame a slow start to stun professionals Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 13-21, 21-15, 21-17 in an all-Malaysian final at the Grand Arena Paris on Sunday (Oct 25).
It was their first title since winning the Malaysian Masters in May and a significant triumph for a pair who had only recently reunited after almost five months apart.
Their victory also ended Malaysia's 22-year wait for a French Open men's doubles crown, with Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat the last Malaysians to achieve the feat in 2004.
The triumph was particularly sweet for Wei Chong-Kai Wun as it marked their first title since Wei Chong's return from a knee injury.
The duo had suffered a first-round exit at the Denmark Open just a week earlier but bounced back in style in Paris, proving they are made of sterner stuff.
"We were the underdogs but we really wanted to perform well and bring home the title, and we did it," said Wei Chong.
Kai Wun hopes they can maintain their consistency on the international stage after reuniting as a pair following several months apart.
"We have been playing together for more than five years. Now that we are back together and have won a title, we hope to maintain this momentum," added Kai Wun.
Meanwhile, Christo Popov of France became his country's first world champion in eight decade to win the men's singles title after defeating Moh Zaki Ubaidillah of Indonesia 21-11, 14-21, 21-13.
FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Christo Popov (Fra) bt Moh Zaki Ubaidillah (Ina) 21-11, 14-21, 21-13.
Men's doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (Mas) bt Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (Mas) 13-21, 21-15, 21-7.
Women's singles: An Se-young (Kor) bt P. V. Sindhu (Ind) 16-21, 21-11, 21-12.
Women's doubles: Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto (Jpn) bt Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (Mas) 10-21, 21-17, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dongping (Chn) bt Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) 21-10, 21-13.
