They are the US Open mixed doubles champions and in the process, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying wrote themselves into themselves into the badminton history books.
The Rio Olympics silver medallists defeated the German pair of Marvin Emil Seidel-Linda Elfer in straight games 21-19, 21-15 in 38 minutes. The Malaysians were seeded fifth while their opponents were seeded fourth.
This is the second title for Peng Soon-Liu Ying this year after winning the Thailand Open in January. They also finished runners-up in the Australian Open last month.
Victory in Fullerton, California would not have come at a better for the Malaysians whose next stop is the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open to be held at the Axiata Arena from June 26-July1.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying is currently ranked No 31 while two other Malaysian pairs are ranked higher them. The two pairs are Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (No 7) and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No 10).
However, only two pairs will be selected for the Asian Games in Indonesia in August. The two pairs will be selected on merit according to mixed doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang.
For winning the US Open the Malaysians pocketed USD11,850 in prize money that came with the title while the losers settled for USD5,700.
This is the first time a Malaysian mixed doubles pair has won the US open. Previous Malaysians winners in the US Open were in the men’s doubles and men’s singles. – RIZAL ABDULLAH
RESULTS (ALL FINALS)
MS: Lee Dong Keun (Kor) beat Mark Caljouw (Ned) 14-21, 21-17, 21-16
WS: Li Xuerui (Chn) beat Zhang Beiwen (US) 24-26, 21-15, 21-11
WD: Tang Jinhua-Yu Xiaohan (Chn) beat Kim Hye-jeong-Kim So-yeong (Kor) 18-21, 21-13, 21-15
XD: Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (Mas) beat Marvin Emil Seidel-Linda Efler (Ger) 21-19, 21-15
