Malaysian mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie’s remarkable run at the Japan Masters came to an end in the semi-finals after a hard-fought battle against Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
The world No. 10 pair were defeated 18-21, 20-22, 14-21 by Dechapol and his new partner Supissara, who are currently ranked 201 in the world. Despite their lower ranking, the Thai duo demonstrated exceptional synergy and resilience to outlast the experienced Malaysians in Kumamoto.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first meeting between the two pairs. Goh and Shevon had previously triumphed over the Thai partnership in the second round of the Arctic Open last month. However, Dechapol and Supissara, with their growing chemistry, turned the tables in this encounter.
The first game saw both pairs exchanging swift attacks and sharp defensive plays, with the Thais edging out the Malaysians 21-18. In the second game, Soon Huat and Shevon pushed their opponents to the brink, but critical errors in the closing stages saw them lose narrowly, 20-22. The momentum firmly swung to the Thai pair in the third game as they cruised to a 21-14 victory.
Dechapol, a 2021 World Champion in mixed doubles with former partner Sapsiree Taerattanachai, seems to have quickly found his rhythm with Supissara. The pair now advance to the final, where they will face either France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue or China’s Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui.
Despite the setback, Goh and Shevon can take pride in their consistent performances throughout the tournament. Having reached multiple semi-finals this season, the pair remains a formidable force on the international stage and will aim to regroup for upcoming challenges.
Credit Photo : THE STAR
