KUALA LUMPUR: A match win doesn't get any sweeter than this for professional shuttler Lai Pei Jing, who has been grappling with the aftermath of a scam recently.
Pei Jing and her partner Tan Kian Meng narrowly avoided defeat at the Indonesia Open today, saving two match points in the second game to secure a remarkable 15-21, 23-21, 21-14 victory against Denmark's Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje.
The victory sent the world No. 21 into the quarter-finals of the Super 1000 event, their best achievement yet this year.
Pei Jing described the win as "very meaningful" and gave her a "special feeling" after enduring a challenging few days due to a "personal issue."
Although Pei Jing did not reveal the details of the "personal issue," it was obvious she was referring to being scammed of her life savings, as she mentioned in a social media post.
"This win is very meaningful and gives me a special feeling, not just for my badminton career but also personally," said Pei Jing.
"I'm very happy that I was able to fight through this personal issue and win.
"It's been very difficult dealing with it over the last few days. I managed to overcome it today. Hopefully, I can maintain this momentum and continue to give my best tomorrow."
Pei Jing vowed that the best has yet to come from the pair ahead of their next battle with South Korea's Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing will be aiming to reach their first Super 1000 semi-final after doing so in China Open last year.
"We're happy with our performance, but it's not our best yet. We're getting there," said Pei Jing.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing lost to Won Ho-Na Eun the last time the two pairs clashed at the Malaysia Open.