SIBU: Badminton fans here in Sarawak got what they wanted when Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing won their semi-final match on Saturday to set up an all Malaysian mixed doubles final at the Malaysia Masters GP Gold on Sunday.
The national No 2 pair, however, did not have it easy as they were dragged to the deciding game by Hong Kong's Tam Chun Hei-Ng Tsz Yau before walking away with a 19-21, 21-13, 21-12 win.
Earlier in the day, newly paired Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie reached their maiden GP Gold final when they upset sixth seeds Tontowi Ahmad-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia 21-17, 21-18 at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.
"It's definitely a suprise as we did not expect to meet our own teammates in the final. If I'm not mistaken I think this is the first time that two Malaysian mixed doubles pair are going to square off in the final," said Pei Jing, who together with Kian Meng also reached the final at the last edition in Penang.
"Shevon is my best friend, but I think regardless of our relationship be it family or friend, when on court we are enemies.
"Having said that, I think it doesn't really matter who wins tomorrow (Sunday) because either way the title goes to Malaysia. Of course when we go in tomorrow we will give our best to try and win because nobody plays to lose."
It was, however, the end of the road for women's doubles Lim Yin Loo-Yap Cheng Wen who crashed out in the last four stage after succumbing to a 22-20, 20-22, 21-15 defeat to Hong Kong's Poon Lok Yan-Tse Ying Suet.