KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have proved that they are not rusty and are in fact well on their way to being at their best when the pair emerged victorious in the Thailand Masters for their first tournament win of the year earlier today.
The success came after the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist beat home favourites, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Puttita Supajirakul, 21-15, 14-21, 21-16 in the final in Bangkok.
It is their first win in more than a year as their last was at the 2016 New Zealand Open.
The pair had to take a lengthy break of eight months after Liu Ying had to undergo surgery for her problematic shoulder in May last year.
Throughout Liu Ying’s absence, Peng Soon was partnered with two junior players in Cheah Yee See and Peck Yen Wei.
With Yee See, he managed to win the Russia Open apart from advancing to the semi-finals of the Premier Super Series tournament, the Denmark Open last year.
Meanwhile, young and upcoming national men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao had to settle being a runner-up when he lost in the final to the more experienced Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia.
After performing excellently from the qualifying rounds which included a stunning upset win over fourth seed Hu Yun of Hong Kong in the semi-finals, Jun Hao was no match for Tommy who humbled the young shuttler, 16-21, 15-21.
“Even though I failed in my quest to win the title, I am still happy with what I have achieved over here. I have learnt a lot from the matches I have played, especially in the final against such an experienced player such as Tommy.
“I now know his game plan and strategy where he carries out a wave of attacks and then holds, not allowing me to claw my way back into the game,” said Jun Hao.