Wei Chong-Kai Wun say 'zero expectations' drove French Open breakthrough

KUALA LUMPUR: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun credited an underdog mindset for carrying them to their first Super 750 French Open title on Sunday.

World No. 11 Wei Chong-Kai Wun rallied from a game down at Arena Grand Paris to beat world No. 5 compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 13-21, 21-15, 21-7 in the final, earning US$70,300 (RM287,035).

"We did not think about winning or losing because we were the underdogs. We just wanted to play our best and try to get every point," said Wei Chong after the final.

Kai Wun said focusing solely on each match helped them stay composed despite recurring issues with their form.

"Our consistency is not so good. We just focused match by match, and I told my partner to give our best until the end. We did that today," said Kai Wun.

The pair had entered the tournament without targets while Wei Chong recovered from a knee injury, which he said after the final was "almost recovered".

Having rediscovered their winning form, Wei Chong said he hopes they can maintain the momentum.

"We have been partners for more than five years. Now we are back, and I think we can keep the rhythm going," he said.

The French Open title was Wei Chong-Kai Wun's sixth success on the World Tour — their first since winning the Malaysia Masters in May last year, ending a 17-month title drought.

Their previous titles came at the Syed Modi International (2022), the Taiwan Open (2022 and 2023_, and the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters last year.

The win also ended Malaysia's 22-year wait for a French Open men's doubles crown, following Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat's triumph in 2004.