KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat has just 24 hours to get himself into the best shape possible ahead of tomorrow's Malaysia Masters mixed doubles semi-final clash with compatriots Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Soon Huat and Shevon, who is also his wife, will be bidding to reach their second final in the Super 500 event after beating Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 12-21, 21-17, 21-17 in a 70-minute battle today that left Soon Huat with wrist and hip injuries.
The win sets up a repeat of the Swiss Open final in March, which saw Soon Huat-Shevon prevail.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were the first to secure their place in the last four after edging out another senior pair, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, 21-19, 21-14 in the other quarter-final of the day.
Soon Huat-Shevon will need to reproduce the valiant fight they displayed in their win against Rehan-Lisa, whom they defeated for the first time in four meetings.
Shevon was proud of Soon Huat for withstanding the pain to seal the win.
"We're really pleased with this win, mainly because both of us did not give up. Soon Huat sustained injuries midway through the second game, and from then on, we knew we had to change the flow of the game, and we managed to break our opponents' momentum," said Shevon.
"I'm thankful that my partner was braving himself through the pain. It's not easy because he must be psychologically affected too, worried that the injury could get worse.
"But he held on to close out for a win."
Shevon believes that their recent win against Tang Jie-Ee Wei would count for nothing as she and Soon Huat brace themselves for a new challenge.
"We've played them several times, and each and every one of them was always tough. It always depends on who adapts well to the environment, performs better, and is more consistent on that particular day," said Shevon.
She added that regardless of who enters the final, it was still a fine outing for the Malaysian mixed doubles camp considering the host would be represented in the final for the first time since 2017.
Soon Huat-Shevon were among the two pairs, along with Kian Meng-Pei Jing who featured in the final, with the latter emerging as champions.
"Either way, we're going to have one pair in the final. May the best pair win and keep Malaysia's flag flying high in the title decider."
As for Tang Jie-Ee Wei, the world No. 9 have been living up to their top billing and have yet to drop a game.
They will seek to reach their third final of the year after also finishing runners-up at the Thailand Masters in January.
"Soon Huat-Shevon are a top pair and it's not going to be easy to play against," said Ee Wei.