It was a bridge too far for mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing as they fell in the quarter-finals in the USD750,000 France Open in Paris on Friday to top seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China after a three-game battle.
The Chinese won 21-14, 20-22, 21-12 to deny the Malaysians their fourth semi-final appearance this year after reaching the last four in the Malaysia Open, the Singapore Open, and the Indonesia Open.
Still, it was a creditable performance from Kian Meng-Pei Jing who was the last Malaysian pair standing at Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris after the completion of the second round matches.
Ranked No 14, Kian Meng-Pei Jing reached the last eight after a hard-fought three games 9-21, 21-18, 22-20 in a 72-minute encounter against Indonesia’s rising pair Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting stunned World No 1 and reigning world and Asian champion Kento Momota of Japan in straight games 21-10, 21-9 to reach the last four and will face China’s, Chen Long. The defeat brought to an end Momota’s 28-match winning streak.
Chen Long, the reigning Olympic champion beat another Indonesian youngster Shesar Hiren Rhustavo 21-19, 21-12.
Indonesia’s Asian Games champion, sixth seed Jonatan Christie came from behind to beat European Games champion and fourth seed Anders Antonsen in an 82-minute thriller with a 17-21, 21-19, 21-16. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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