In what has become an increasingly frustrating trend for Malaysia’s mixed doubles campaign, national pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai suffered a first-round exit at the 2025 China Open, adding yet another blow to the country’s hopes at one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. The experienced duo fell in straight games, 17-21, 18-21, to the Thai combination of Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran, who executed their game plan to perfection and never allowed the Malaysians to settle.
Held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre, the China Open serves as a vital stop on the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 circuit and offers valuable Olympic qualification points ahead of the Paris 2025 Olympics. Malaysia, which entered the tournament with optimism across all disciplines, has been dealt a series of setbacks—including this latest early exit by one of its most experienced mixed doubles pairs.
For Soon Huat and Shevon, the loss not only marks another missed opportunity but raises questions about form, fitness, and the future of their longstanding partnership.
A Match of Missed Chances and Misfiring Combinations
The matchup between the Malaysian pair and the Thais was expected to be competitive. Both teams are ranked within the top 20 and are familiar foes on the international circuit. However, it was the Thais who came out sharper, hungrier, and tactically cleaner.
From the outset, Supak and Supissara displayed excellent court coverage and effective rotation. Their defensive solidity frustrated the Malaysians, who struggled to finish points. Long rallies favored the Thais, who were content to draw errors and seize on loose returns.
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First Game A Slow Start That Proved Costly
Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai were slow out of the blocks. The Malaysians committed four unforced errors in the opening six points, giving their opponents an early 6-2 advantage. While they managed to recover to 11-10 at the mid-game interval, inconsistencies in their rotation allowed the Thai duo to regain control and close out the game 21-17.
There were signs of fight from the Malaysians—Shevon in particular showed flashes of brilliance at the net—but these moments were fleeting and often followed by lapses in communication or poor shot choices.
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Second Game A Brief Resurgence Then Collapse
The second game saw an improved start from Soon Huat and Shevon. They led 8-5 and appeared to have regained composure, with more purposeful smashes and a few perfectly timed cross-court drives from Shevon. But a series of errors from Soon Huat—including two successive service faults—gave the Thais momentum, which they used to shift the balance permanently in their favor.
Supak and Supissara took six of the final eight points, ending the game at 21-18 and sealing a deserved victory. The Malaysian pair left the court visibly dejected, their faces a mix of disappointment and disbelief.
Post-Match Reaction Honest But Heavy-Hearted
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Goh Soon Huat
“We didn’t play our best today. We made too many mistakes and allowed them to dictate the pace. It’s disappointing, especially because we’ve been training hard and preparing well.”
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Shevon Jemie Lai
“We need to regroup and reflect. These early exits are becoming too frequent. We’re not just playing against our opponents—we’re fighting to find our rhythm again.”
Their candor was appreciated, but their words hinted at deeper struggles, perhaps psychological as much as tactical.
A Pattern of Underperformance
The China Open exit continues a worrying pattern for Soon Huat and Shevon. Once considered Malaysia’s most reliable mixed pair outside of the Goh Liu Ying-Chan Peng Soon era, the duo has been on a downward trajectory over the past 12 months.
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Performance in major tournaments (2024-2025)
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- Malaysia Open: Round of 16
- All England: First Round
- Indonesia Open: Quarterfinals
- Japan Open: Round of 32
- China Open: First Round
Despite flashes of their former selves, particularly during the Indonesia Open run, the inconsistency is undeniable.
Technical Observations Where It Went Wrong
Several recurring issues have plagued the duo’s performances:
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Weak Mid-Court Coverage
Opponents often exploit the space between the front and back players, especially when Soon Huat is rotating backward. The miscommunication between the pair when transitioning between offense and defense results in open spaces that better-coordinated pairs quickly capitalize on.
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Service Errors and Nerves
Service faults have become an unwelcome trend, particularly from Soon Huat. In high-pressure moments, these mistakes sap momentum and provide easy points to opponents. The confidence deficit seems more mental than mechanical.
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Shot Variation and Predictability
While Shevon still possesses a lethal cross-court flick and delicate net play, the pair’s overall game plan often lacks variation. Opponents appear well-prepared, reading their patterns and neutralizing attacks with ease.
Coach’s Verdict “We Need Urgent Recalibration”
Head coach for mixed doubles under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Chin Eei Hui, did not mince her words.
“The China Open result is unacceptable for a pair of their experience. We’ve had conversations before about the need to elevate their consistency. They are putting in the effort, but the translation to match results hasn’t been there.”
She added that BAM would now review their Olympic qualification pathway, potentially considering pairing experiments or recalibrating training programs if no improvement is shown by year’s end.
Bigger Picture Malaysia’s Mixed Doubles Crisis
Malaysia’s tradition in mixed doubles, once a point of strength, now looks uncertain. With the retirement of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying, and the breakup of Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Malaysia’s mixed discipline is struggling for world-class continuity.
At the China Open, none of Malaysia’s mixed doubles pairs advanced past the second round. This lack of depth—and form—is becoming a concern with the Olympics just 11 months away.
Other nations, like China, Thailand, Indonesia, and even France, have developed new pairings with notable success. In contrast, Malaysia’s transition seems stalled.
What’s Next for Soon Huat-Shevon
With Olympic qualification points now more crucial than ever, the duo faces a critical few months. Upcoming tournaments like the Korea Open, Denmark Open, and French Open may determine whether they remain Malaysia’s top Olympic contenders—or are replaced by younger, rising pairs.
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Areas for Urgent Attention
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- Sports Psychology: The pair may benefit from dedicated sessions with sports psychologists to handle pressure moments more effectively.
- Tactical Overhaul: A fresh game plan focusing on unpredictability and deception may help restore their competitive edge.
- Recovery & Rest: With a long season of travel and intense competition, burnout may be a factor. A short break to reset could yield benefits.
Reactions from the Badminton Community
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Former Player Chan Peng Soon
“Soon Huat and Shevon have always had potential. But at this level, mental strength is everything. Sometimes it’s not about talent—it’s about composure in the big moments.”
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Malaysian Fans on Social Media
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- “They looked lost out there. It’s painful to watch such a talented pair struggle.”
- “Time for a new pairing? We need results, not just experience.”
- “Still rooting for them, but they need to change something fast.”
While the criticism was harsh, there remains a core of loyal supporters who remember the pair’s past glory, including their win at the 2018 Singapore Open and multiple semi-final appearances on the World Tour
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