Suncheon: The World No. 10 mixed doubles pair, Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing ended a 5-year title drought with a 21-15, 21-18 win over Korean duo World No. 19 Ko Sung Hyun/Eom Hye Won in the Korea Open final on Sunday.
Tan/Lai were trailing 7-11 in the first game and reeled off 7 consecutive points to take the lead at 14-11. The Malaysians then quickly wrapped up the first game 21-15.
The No. 2 seeds from Malaysia continue to dominate from the beginning to the end of the second game to register their third career win against Ko/Eom with a 21-18 second set win.
Tan Kian Meng took to social media with the message below after the win.
”
Champion! !
I really don’t know how long I have waited…
How hard I have worked for this moment…
Although it is not the biggest event yet, I believe it is a good start, and I hope we can continue to make breakthroughs in the next games! Finally, I would like to thank all the sponsors and fans for their support! Thanks!
#koreaopen2022 #champion #finally #thankyoueveryone”
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Lai also shared her joy on social media after the victory:
“Everyone we did it!
Korea 500 Champion! The podium and the championships I have been looking for! ❤️
Thanks to the fans for all the messages you sent 🥰”
China’s World No. 156 Weng Hong Yang provided the team a much-needed shot in the arm as they are currently experiencing a slump in the men’s singles category. The unseeded player was so calm and composed against World No. 8 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, winning the final 12-21, 21-19, 21-15 in 77 minutes.
“I am very happy to win my first men’s singles international title. I haven’t participated in international competitions for a long time. I didn’t expect that I would be able to enter the finals. I just wanted to adapt to the atmosphere of the international competition and play what I learned in training. When I was down in the second set, I didn’t panic, I told myself the game wasn’t over, I still had a chance, and it turned out I was right. I am very grateful to the team and coach for their help over the years and for giving me valuable opportunities to participate. I will continue to work hard to make China’s men’s singles better,” wrote Weng on his social media page.
In men’s doubles, Korea’s World No. 225 Kang Minhyuk/Seo Seungjae pulled off a huge upset to win Korea’s third title on Sunday when they beat World No. 9 Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia 19-21, 21-15, 21-18.
Korea won its first title of the 2022 Korea Open after An Seyoung saw off Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-17, 21-18 in the women’s singles final while Jeong Na Eun/Kim Hye Jeong managed to keep the women’s doubles title on home turf after beating Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard of Thailand 21-16, 21-12.
