SIBU: World No 9 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing got off to a flying start this year when they bagged the Malaysia Masters GP Gold crown here on Sunday.
The Malaysian mixed doubles duo, were clearly more composed than their national teammates Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, notching a 21-17, 21-9 win in just 36 minutes at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.
"I think we were just a little more experienced than them, they did everything right but we had the edge," said Kian Meng, a former singles shuttler who only made the switch to doubles at the end of 2015.
"I never expected us to win the title because we weren't in the best condition coming into the competition. However, we have been more consistent," added Pei Jing.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing's next assignment is the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on Feb 14-19 and the All England Open on March 7-12.
Meanwhile in the men's doubles final, national backup Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani had their hopes dashed when Indonesia's Berry Angriawan-Hardianto Hardianto claimed the crown with a 21-19, 21-12 win.
Winners from the doubles event pocketed US$9,000 (approximately RM43,000) in prize money while runners-up settled for US$4,560 (approximately RM20,200).