SEOUL: The husband and wife team of Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai have a psychological edge when they face compatriots Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei in the Korea Open quarter-finals today.
Soon Huat-Shevon have beaten world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei twice this year — in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters in May and the final of the Swiss Open in March.
Whatever the outcome, Malaysia is assured of at least one pair in the Korea Open mixed doubles semi-finals at the Mokpo Indoor Stadium in Seoul.
This came after Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei defeated Taiwan's Liu Kuang Heng-Jheng Yu Chieh 21-16, 21-19 to advance to the last eight.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who ousted the Taiwanese in 34 minutes, will next meet compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai who defeated Taiwan's Chen Zhi Ray-Yang Ching Tun 21-17, 21-13.
Soon Huat said they controlled the match well, reduced the mistakes and played a more consistent game.
Shevon said she was satisfied with their performance so far in the tournament."
Meanwhile national women's pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah fought back from a set down to beat Taiwan's scratch pair Nicole Gonzales Chan-Lin Chih Chun 21-23, 21-12, 21-12 in 43 minutes in the second round.
They will next face the winners of the match between China's Keng Shu Liang-Zhang Shu Xian and Taiwan's Teng Chun Hsun-Yang Chu Yun in the quarter-finals.
In the men's doubles, Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri could not continue their great run when they lost to South Korea's Choi Sol Gyu-Heo Kwang Hee 21-18, 12-21, 21-17 in the second round. Earlier they had upset newly crowned Japan Open champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Hon Jian lamented that they made mistakes in the last few points in the third game.
Professional mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing went down to world No. 20 Yang Po Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang of Taiwan. Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien also crashed out, losing 21-18, 21-17 to Taiwan's Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Gonzales Chan.
Men's pair Boon Xin Yuan-Goh V Shem were sent packing by South Korea's world No. 5 Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae 21-13, 21-11.