KUALA LUMPUR: For world No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, the Malaysia Open has historically been a challenging tournament, with their previous five appearances ending before the second round.
Now, the husband-wife team find themselves just two wins away from achieving every local shuttler's dream: lifting the national Open title.
Spurred on by passionate home supporters at Axiata Arena today, Soon Huat-Shevon secured their place in the semi-finals by defeating China's Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi 21-15, 22-20, marking their third victory in five encounters with the Chinese pair.
The Malaysian pair built on their stellar form since last September, when they finished second at the China Open.
Their subsequent performances included semi-final appearances at the Arctic Open, Kumamoto Masters and World Tour Finals.
"We want this very, very much," Shevon admitted, their confidence at an all-time high.
"Last year, we already experienced victory on home soil with the Malaysia Masters. Though it wasn't the same level as the Malaysia Open, the atmosphere was just electrifying. We definitely want to reach the final and relive that feeling."
Their achievement marks a significant milestone for Malaysian badminton, as they become the first home representatives in the semi-finals since Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing's run in 2019.
"We feel very honoured to be fighting for Malaysia, especially with our family and friends watching from the stands," said Shevon.
The path ahead presents a formidable challenge as they face Thai newcomers Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran in the semi-finals.
In their recent meetings, Soon Huat-Shevon triumphed at the Arctic Open before the Thais claimed victory en route to the Kumamoto Masters title.
"This Thai pair have been performing exceptionally well in this tournament," Shevon noted.
"They're fast and accurate, and Dechapol is both powerful and intelligent. As a new partnership, they play without pressure, and their familiarity with our game from our shared training sessions makes them particularly challenging opponents."
However, Shevon remains optimistic about their chances, citing the home crowd advantage. "Having our fans' support is crucial. If we lose focus, their energy can help us regain our momentum. That could make the difference in this match," added Shevon.