Frenzied fans at Putra Stadium couldn’t contain their excitement as Lim Khim Wah and Goh V Shem delivered a thrilling performance, securing their spot in the Men’s Doubles finale of the Maybank Malaysia Open 2014. This unexpected bonus has given spectators even more reason to attend the final, especially with Men’s Singles great Lee Chong Wei also in contention for his tenth title.
In a tense semi-final match against Indonesia’s Angga Pratama/Ryan Agung Saputra, Goh and Lim showed incredible composure, winning 23-25, 21-13, 22-20. With this improved performance, they are now aiming to defeat China’s Chai Biao and Hong Wei in the final, hoping to claim their first-ever title on home soil.
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The first game of the semi-final showcased the level of competitiveness between the two pairs. Pratama and Saputra fought hard, saving two game points before taking the lead. However, Goh and Lim made a strong comeback in the second game, and the third game had everyone on the edge of their seats. Despite being three match points down, Pratama and Saputra displayed exceptional defense, extending the match. Ultimately, it was Lim’s anticipation and skill at the net that made the difference, leading to an exhilarating victory for the Malaysians.
Goh shared their strategy, saying, “Our plan was to win points within the first three shots to gain an advantage in the longer rallies. The crowd definitely played a role in boosting our performance. We were a bit scared when the score was 20-17, and we couldn’t close it out.”
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On the other side of the bracket, the Men’s Doubles semi-final was a one-sided affair. Switzerland’s Chai Biao and Hong Wei defeated Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Hayakawa with a score of 21-12, 21-12.
In the Men’s Singles category, Lee Chong Wei, the top seed, continued his impressive run towards a potential tenth title. His opponent, Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark, retired early in the second game due to a pulled muscle, with Lee leading 21-13, 3-0. Jorgensen expressed his disappointment, explaining that he had been struggling with a muscle injury since the previous day. Lee recognized the need to prepare for a tough final against Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia, despite his previous eight victories against him.
Sugiarto showcased his skills in the semi-final match against Japan’s Kenichi Tago, winning 21-13, 21-18. Although the match didn’t reach the expected intensity, Tago seemed affected by a freak shuttle strike to his face during the first game.
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In the Mixed Doubles category, China’s Xu Chen and Ma Jin outsmarted World champions Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir for the eighth time in 13 matches. Xu and Ma demonstrated their dominance by playing a controlled game at the net and finding empty spaces to score points.
In the other semi-final, Denmark’s Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen proved too strong for China’s Olympic champions Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei. Zhang and Zhao struggled with self-doubt, resulting in several unforced errors. Fischer and Pedersen capitalized on their opponents’ vulnerabilities and gained confidence as the match progressed.
The Women’s Singles final will feature two Chinese players. Li Xuerui defeated her compatriot Yao Xue in a straightforward match, winning 21-17, 21-8. Wang Shixian, the 2011 champion, overcame a late challenge from Korea’s Bae Yeon Ju, securing a 21-9, 21-16 victory. Li will have the opportunity to win her first Malaysia Open title, while Wang will aim to break her losing streak against the top seed and claim the championship.
In the Women’s Doubles final, China’s Bao Yixin and Tang Jinhua will face Japan’s Misaki Matsumoto and Ayaka Takahashi. Bao and Tang secured a comfortable victory over Denmark’s Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl, winning 21-13, 21-11. Matsumoto and Takahashi endured a grueling match against their compatriots Reika Kakiiwa and Miyuki Maeda, eventually prevailing with a score of 23-25, 21-15, 21-13.
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