China Masters: Mixed Doubles Finalists Snap 20-Year Streak
For the first time since its inception in 2005, the China Masters will crown non-local mixed doubles champions on Sunday – a historic moment that ends an extraordinary 20 years of domestic dominance.
· BWF STAFF
The breakthrough came at Shenzhen Arena, where Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran and Malaysia’s newly-crowned world champions Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei triumphed over their Chinese opponents in the semifinals.
Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran needed 43 minutes to dispatch top seeds Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin 21-17 22-20. In contrast, Chen and Toh endured a gruelling 80-minute battle against defending champions Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping, ultimately prevailing 22-24 21-19 21-17.
“We are too tired to think right now!” Chen admitted after the exhausting match. “But we are really happy with this result. The last time we beat them was at the Olympics, and we’ve lost four straight matches since. It feels great to finally turn that around.”