THE 10-gold target is within reach after the Malaysians booked their places in four badminton finals at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium yesterday.
It could have been five, which would have meant an all-Malaysian mixed doubles final, but the young Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying pair were foiled by their inexperience as they went down fighting in their semi-final against Nathan Robertson-Jenny Wallwark of England.
Lee Chong Wei cruised into the men's singles final, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong also had it easy in their men's doubles last four clash while Wong Mew Choo overcame stubborn resistance from England's Liz Cann.
She will meet India's badminton darling Saina Nehwal, who beat Susan Egelstaff of Scotland 21-10, 21-17 yesterday.
With Kien Keat-Chin Eei Hui defeating Chayut Triyachart-Yao Lei of Singapore in their mixed doubles semi-final, Malaysian hopes were raised as Peng Soon-Liu Ying held match point against Robertson-Jenny on the adjacent court but couldn't finish.
Kien Keat-Eei Hui, playing for only the second time together, were also pushed hard but their experience came to their aid as they beat Triyachart-Yao Lei 19-21, 21-16, 21-18 in 65 minutes. Robertson-Jenny, the top seeds, beat Peng Soon-Liu Ying 19-21, 21-13, 23-21 and promised to give Kien Keat-Eei Hui a tough fight in tomorrow's final.
"We have a chance and we are not going to let that go to waste," said Robertson.
The mixed doubles title is the only gold Malaysia have not won at the Commonwealth Games.
Kien Keat said he and regular mixed doubles partner Wong Pei Tty have beaten the English pair before.
"I would rate our chances as even as the English pair will also be determined to win the gold," said Kien Keat, who showed no signs of fatigue when he and Tan Boon Heong beat Singapore's Hendra Saputra-Hendri Wijaya 21-11, 21-8 in the doubles semi-final.
Kien Keat will also square off with Robertson and his partner Anthony Clark in the men's doubles final after the English pair beat Triyachart-Derek Wong of Singapore 21-10, 17-21, 21-14.
As for Chong Wei, Chetan Anand of India wasn't in his class as the Malaysian won 21-11, 21-12 and will face Rajiv Ouseph of England in the final tomorrow. Ouseph, the second seed, ended the run of another Indian, P. Kashyap 19-21, 21-12, 21-18.
Mew Choo needed three games to beat Susan but that didn't matter to her as she promised to give Saina a fight.
"The pressure is on her and I will try to play my normal game," said Mew Choo.
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