BUKIT JALIL (5 April 2019): Mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing continued their gallant run at the Axiata Arena, defeating Tontowi Ahmad-Winny Oktavina Kandow to reach the semi-finals of the Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open (CAMO) 2019.

Having gone through a winless spell in 2019, the nation’s fourth ranked pair have now won three in a row at this tournament, making it a historic achievement for them on home soil.

And they had to do it the hard way, coming back from a set down to win 17-21, 21-16, 21-16 in the last eight to set up a meeting with last year’s runners up and second seeds, Wang Yilyu-Huang Dongping from China.

Yilyu-Dongping had earlier dented professional pair, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying’s hopes of setting up an all Malaysian affair in the last four, edging the fifth seeds in a nail-biting contest, 21-19, 16-21, 27-25.

“We were excited, but we didn’t want to be too excited as we didn’t want to be under too much pressure,” said Pei Jing.

“We knew that we had to change things in the second game and our plan worked to perfection.

“For tomorrow’s game, we have lost to the Chinese pair twice and we will be trying our best to ensure there is at least one representative in the final,” said Pei Jing.

Celcom Axiata Terbuka Malaysia 2019, which is powered by Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd as the official vehicle partner, will taper off on Sunday at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KLSC). Total prize money on offer is AS$ 700,000.

Tickets for the five category seats – premium, lower, upper, VIP and Superfan (for fans who want to experience a unique atmosphere, be close to the players and have access to exclusive Axiata Arena hospitality suites, official signed posters by national players and souvenir programmes) are already on sale. They can be purchased through websitehttp://www.myticket.asia or through the hotline (+603-86050195) or can be purchased at the venue throughout the championships.

Malaysians in action, today’s results (quarter finals):

XD TAN Kian Meng-LAI Pei Jing won Tontowi AHMAD-Winny Oktavina KANDOW (Indonesia) 17-21 21-16 21-16

XD WANG Yilyu-HUANG Dongping (China) won CHAN Peng Soon-GOH Liu Ying 21-19 16-21