# Mixed doubles title eludes Malaysian pair again
# Taiwan sweep both singles title in Yonex Taiwan Open
By Rizal Abdullah
It was another heartbreak for Malaysia’s rising mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing as they fell yet to another defeat in the final – this time in the Yonex Taiwan Open Grand Prix Grand Prix Gold which ended in Taipeh on Sunday.
The Malaysian hopes ended in a straight sets 13-21, 16-21 defeat to China’s fifth seeds Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen in the final.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing reached two other finals this year but ended playing bridesmaid each time – in the Malaysian Masters Open in Penang in January and the Polish Open in March.
Still, Kian Meng-Pei Jing can take pride in their continued rise in the mixed doubles. Currently they are ranked No 44 in the world.
Meanwhile Taiwan made a rich haul in the men’s and women’s singles through World No 7 Chen Tien Chen and World No 9 Tai Tzu Ying respectively.
Tien Chen’s victory especially was extra sweet as he became only the second local player had won the the Taiwan Open after Fung Permadi achieved success in 1999.
Tien Chen played a cool game to beat China’s Qiao Bin 21-18, 21-17 in 56 minutes to pocket USD15,000 in prize money that came with it. Qiao Bin went home home USD7,600 richer.
Tzu Ying staged a strong performance in the first set and then ran out an easy winner in the second for an emphatic 23-21-6 win over China’s top seed and hot favourite Wang Shixian in the women’s final which lasted 46 minutes.Â
The joy of winning his home title in front of his home fans was written all over Tien Chen’s face as he threw his racquet and sink to the floor in sheer delight, He too threw his racquet into the stands to celebrate his famous 21-18, 21-17 win. With the title came USD15,000 in prize money.Â
Taiwan failed to add a third title when Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen defeated Taiwan hopes Chen Hung Lin-Wang Chi Lin in the men’s doubles final. The top seeded Chinese pair won a closely fought final that lasted a solid one hour before prevailing 21-17, 17-21, 24-22.
The women’s doubles final was an all-China affair with Huang Dongping-Zhong winning the title with an upset over top seeds – Luo twins – Luo Ying-Luo Yu 21-18, 21-16Â in 46 minutes.
China also won the mixed doubles title with fifth seeds Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen defeating Malaysia’s unseeded pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing 21-13, 21-16 in the final.
Â
RESULTS (All Finals)
Men’s singles
Chou Tien Chen (Tpe) beat Qiao Bin (Chn) 21-18, 21-17
Â
Men’s DoublesÂ
Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen (Chn) beat Chen Hung Ling-Wang Chi-Lin (Tpe) 21-17, 17-21, 24-22
Â
Women’s singles
Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe) beat Wang Shixian (Chn) 23-21, 21-6
Â
Women’s doublesÂ
Huang Dongping-Zhong Qianxin (Chn) beat Luo Ying-Luo Yu (Chn) 21-18, 21-16
Â
Mixed Doubles
Zheng Siwei-Chen Qingchen (Chn) beat Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (Mas) 21-13, 21-16
