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Soon Huat-Shevon stopped by China's world No.2 pair

Soon Huat-Shevon stopped by China's world No.2 pair

KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai's bid to reach the Japan Open semi-finals ended in heartbreak once again, as the world No. 6 mixed doubles fell to defending champions Jiang Zhen Bang–Wei Ya Xin of China today.
The Malaysian husband-and-wife team went down 21-13, 23-21 in the quarter-finals — their eighth defeat in nine encounters against the formidable world No. 2 pair.
Soon Huat–Shevon showed fighting spirit in the second game, clawing back from 14-18 down to hold game point at 20-19, but were unable to convert as the Chinese duo held firm to close out the match.
Their defeat also dashed hopes of an all-Malaysian semi-final, following earlier progress by compatriots Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei.
The loss continues a frustrating trend for Soon Huat–Shevon, who have now exited in the quarter-finals in eight of their last nine tournaments.
It underlined their consistency in reaching the latter stages, but also their struggle to break through to the next level.
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