National mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat–Lai Shevon Jemie showed nerves of steel to keep Malaysia’s challenge alive at the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2026, battling past Taiwan’s Wu Guan Xun–Lee Chia Hsin in a thrilling three-game encounter in the Round of 32 today.
The eighth-seeded Malaysians were pushed to the limit before emerging 15-21, 21-19, 21-14 winners in a match that underlined their experience and mental strength on the big stage of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 event.
Soon Huat and Shevon struggled to find rhythm early on as the Taiwanese pair dictated the pace, forcing errors and claiming the opening game 21-15. However, the Malaysians regrouped in the second game, tightening their defence and improving their net control to edge a tense 21-19 win and force the decider.
Carrying that momentum into the third game, Soon Huat–Shevon raised their intensity, dominating rallies and capitalising on crucial points to pull away decisively, sealing the contest 21-14 to the delight of the home crowd.
The victory sees the former world No.1 pair advance to the Round of 16, boosting Malaysia’s hopes in the mixed doubles category after a day of mixed results for the hosts.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
