Underdogs Wei Chong-Kai Wun fight their way to French Open crown

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun went into the French Open final focused on fighting for every point. They came away with the biggest title of their partnership.

The world No. 11 battled back to beat compatriots and world No. 5 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 13-21, 21-15, 21-7 at Arena Grand Paris on Sunday to claim their first Super 750 crown.

With the win, they take home US$70,300 (RM287,034.90) in prize money.

"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 in the post-match interview with Badminton World Federation.

That approach carried Wei Chong-Kai Wun through an opening-game setback before they turned the match around and swept through the decider.

It was their sixth World Tour title together and their first since winning the Malaysia Masters on May 25 last year, ending a 17-month wait.

Their previous titles came at the Syed Modi International in 2022, Taipei Open in 2022 and 2023, and the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters last year.

The victory also ended Malaysia's 22-year wait for another French Open men's doubles title, following Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat's 2004 triumph.

For Wei Chong-Kai Wun, the success was all the more meaningful as they had set no specific targets for this run of tournaments while Wei Chong recovered from a knee injury.

Asked about the knee after the final, Wei Chong said it was "almost recovered".

Kai Wun acknowledged that consistency remained an area they needed to improve, but said keeping their focus on each match had helped them through the week.

"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.

Having rediscovered their winning touch, Wei Chong hopes they can build on the momentum.

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