Taipei Open: Reginald Lee claims first podium finish in three years after storming through semi-finals

Lee and mixed doubles partner Ng Tsz-yau beat host pair in three games to advance to last four in Taiwan

Injuries and pandemic has forced Lee out of world tour since 2019 until late last year when the pair start again from low tier tournaments

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Reginald Lee (in red) was once a top ranked mixed doubles player. He and former partner Cathy Chau against Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Photo: Reuters.

Published: 8:53pm, 22 Jul 2022Updated: 8:54pm, 22 Jul 2022

Reginald Lee Chun-hei stormed into the mixed doubles Taipei Open semi-finals, his first podium finish in the world tour for over three years after injuries and pandemic almost wrote him off from competitions.

At Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, Lee and his partner Ng Tsz-yau overcame Ye Hong-Wei and Lee Chia-Hsin of the hosts in three games 12-21, 21-13, 21-18 on Friday to advance to the penultimate stage.

Even if they lose to Hoo Pang Ron and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia in the next round, they can still finish in joint third place in the US$500,000 tournament, a Super 300 event on the world tour. Lee last won a podium finish in 2018 when he and former partner Chau came second in the Macau Open, also a Super 300 event.

Reginald Lee and Ng Tsz-yau on the podium at Wateringen after the 2022 Dutch International. Photo: Handout

“This is a tremendous boost for Lee who has been working so hard to come back after injuries and pandemic have forced him out for such a long time,” head coach Tim He Yiming said. “No matter how they fare in the semi-finals, they will be able to stand on the podium, a big recognition for the pair.”

Ng also reached the women’s doubles semi-finals with Tsang Hiu-yan while Lee and Law Cheuk-him lost in the men’s doubles.