KUALA LUMPUR – Chinese pair Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning are grateful for the difference in prize money between a Super 1000 event and a Super 750 title after clinching the Malaysia Open today.
The world number eight pair defeated teammates Zheng Shuxian-Zheng Yu in straight sets 21-18, 21-18 in 52 minutes.
Shengshu-Ning have won three Super 300 titles (Spain Masters, US Open and Arctic Open), one Super 500 (Indonesia Masters) and one Super 750 title (French 750) all in the last year on the BWF World Tour.
“We didn’t think we could win this title, as we didn’t really think ahead.
“We were taking each game as they came and in the matches (we) just tried to win one point after the other.
“A Super 1000 event definitely offers the most prize money and we are grateful to be able to win today,” said the 19-year-old Shengshu.
For their win at the Axiata Arena, Shengshu-Ning took home US$96,200 (RM447,000) in prize money.
They are currently ninth in the Race to Paris rankings and are in hot competition with Shuxian-Yu for the honour of representing China at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Another Chinese pair, Cheng Qingchen-Jia Yifan, are currently top of the Olympic qualification rankings.
Ning said she and Shengshu were not focused on Olympic qualification.
“We are not putting too much focus on the Olympics right now.
“We just want to put our attention into every match we play and qualifying to Paris will come naturally,” said the 20-year-old. – January 14, 2024