KUALA LUMPUR: It may not have been their toughest tournament, but national mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are still happy to be crowned as US Open champions.
On Sunday, the former national No 1 claimed their second title since coming back as a pair together this year, when they saw off fourth seeds Marvin Emil Seidel-Linda Efler of Germany 21-19, 21-15 in the final in Fullerton, California.
The World no 31 Malaysians pocketed US$11,850 (RM47,400) in prize money, while their German opponents settled for US$5,700.
The fifth seeded Malaysians admitted that they have yet to hit top form, but winning the title has definitely boosted their confidence, ahead of next week’s Malaysia Open and the Indonesia Asian Games in August.
"It may not be a major title, but winning a tournament is always good for your confidence, especially with a few major tournaments coming up in the next couple of months... in our case the Malaysia Open and the Asian Games," said Peng Soon.
"It has been a great tournament for us. We didn't really stretch ourselves, probably only gave 70-80 per cent, so hopefully it gets better after this.
"We want to build on this strong performance here and try to do better in bigger events, starting with the Malaysia Open.”
The combination of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists were split last year, after Liu Ying had to undergo a shoulder surgery in Germany.
The BA of Malaysia reunited the pair early this year, and they got off to a flying start, when they captured the Thailand Masters crown in January.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying also did well to reach the final of the Australian Open last month.
US OPEN FINAL RESULTS
Men's singles: Lee Dong Keun (Kor) bt Mark Caljouw (Ned) 14-21, 21-17, 21-16; Doubles: Ou Xuanyi-Xiangyu Ren (Chn) bt Kang Min Hyuk-Kim Won Ho (Kor) 16-21, 21-16, 21-17; Women's singles: Li Xuerui (Chn) bt Zhang Beiwen (Usa) 24-26, 21-15, 21-11; Doubles: Tang Jinhua-Yu Xiaohan (Chn) bt Kim Hye Jeong-Kim So Yeong (Kor) 18-21, 21-13, 21-15; Mixed doubles: Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying bt Marvin Emil Seidel-Linda Efler (Ger)