Pertarungan dua beregu campuran negara di pentas final Kejohanan Badminton Grand Prix (GP) Emas Malaysia Masters di Sibu, Sarawak hari ini, menyaksikan gandingan Tan Kian Meng dan Lai Pei Jing lebih unggul untuk bergelar juara, sekali gus menebus kehampaan tahun lalu.
Mereka yang menjadi pilihan, apatah lagi berdepan rakan senegara, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, mencipta kejutan mara ke final dalam penyertaan pertama dalam saingan bertaraf GP Emas.
Set pertama berlangsung seimbang dengan tidak banyak yang memisahkan dua pasangan itu apabila mereka saling memperoleh mata.
Dalam pertengahan set, Kian Meng-Pei Jing meningkatkan rentak permainan bagi mendahului lawan 11-8 sebelum jurang itu dilebarkan kepada 16-11.
Rentak berkenaan berjaya dikekalkan gandingan beregu campuran kedua negara itu bagi menutup set pertama menerusi keputusan 21-17.
Set berikutnya, Kian Meng dan Pei Jing terus mengekalkan momentum permainan di sebalik kebangkitan yang cuba dilakukan oleh Soon Huat-Shevon.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing sekali lagi mendahului dengan kedudukan 11-6 dan tidak lagi menoleh ke belakang bagi menoktahkan cabaran lawan hasil kemenangan 21-9.
Ia sekali gus memberikan mereka gelaran sulung untuk 2017 dan permulaan positif bagi menghadapi beberapa lagi kejohanan utama selepas ini.
"Saya tidak fikir banyak sebab lawan pun berlatih bersama. Saya bangga kerana meraih kejuaraan ini di Malaysia," kata Kian Meng.
"Kami perlu belajar lagi. Seperti hari ini, kami boleh menang sebab mengawal tekanan lebih baik daripada mereka. Kalau dalam aspek perancangan perlawanan, mereka pun bermain dengan betul tetapi kami lebih konsisten sahaja," kata Pei Jing.
Dalam Malaysia Masters edisi tahun lalu, Kian Meng-Pei Jing sekadar berpuas hati dengan kedudukan naib juara.
Public Anonymous User
Sun Jan 22 2017
World number one Swiatek sees off Xiyu in Madrid opener
Iga Swiatek had few issues overcoming Wang Xiyu in straight sets as the world number one kick-started her Madrid Open campaign in style.
Foden matches Messi and Haaland feat with 50th league goal under Guardiola
Phil Foden scored his 50th Premier League goal to help Manchester City take a 3-0 half-time lead against Brighton on Thursday.
Nadal cruises past teen Blanch to tee up De Minaur rematch in Madrid
Rafael Nadal swatted aside teenager qualifier Darwin Blanch as the 22-time major winner progressed to the second round of the Madrid Open.
Bellingham alone won't win Euros for England - Desailly
Jude Bellingham has been in sensational form for Real Madrid this season and is expected to play a big part for England at Euro 2024.
Austin FC v LA Galaxy: 'I'm happy with where we're at' – Vanney
MLS Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy head to Austin FC on Saturday, with Greg Vanney content with where his team find themselves.
Courtois set to return from injury after long absence
Thibaut Courtois is set to return from injury in the coming days, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.
'There are no gimmies' – Dyche warns Everton not to step off the pedal
Sean Dyche has urged his Everton team not to ease off as they aim to secure their Premier League survival when they take on Brentford.
Xavi 'convinced' Barcelona U-turn is right decision
Xavi: The project is not finished
FC Dallas v Houston Dynamo: Arriola says hosts must pay supporters back
Struggling FC Dallas host the Houston Dynamo in a huge Texas derby this weekend.
New England Revolution v Inter Miami: Porter targets 'mini season' as Messi comes to town
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami take on the Eastern Conference's bottom team, the New England Revolution, on Saturday.