Before yesterday, the 2016 Hong Kong Open stood out as the favourite edition of his home event in Tang Chun Man’s memory.

That was because Tang and partner Tse Ying Suet reached the semifinals on debut as a pair at the tournament before losing to eventual winners Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir.

Today at the Hong Kong Coliseum, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games semifinalists have the chance to write a better story for Hong Kong China, which has never produced mixed doubles champions in the competition’s 41-year history.

“Although we have gone one step further this time but for elite athletes, a win is never enough,” said Tang after taking the VICTOR Hong Kong Open 2023 semifinal against Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie 21-12 21-12 in just 34 minutes.

“We always want to do it again in the next match. We keep this as our target for tomorrow – to win another battle. We are looking forward to it.”

Tse added: “The final could be one of the most memorable moments of our lives.”

Tang/Tse have already ended a 34-year wait for Hong Kong China with their success last night. Chan Chi Choi/Amy Chan Lim Chee, runners-up in 1989, were the last home mixed pair to contest a final at the competition.

Tang and Tse’s sensational week has without doubt been aided by their vocal supporters and the world No.23 pair are eager to pay them back with a historic title by beating scratch Chinese pair Guo Xin Wa/Wei Ya Xin.

“We are happy we could perform in front of our friends, family and the home crowd. Every match they generate such deafening noise and we get so much confidence from it. They will be our motivation again. We want to do our best for them,” promised Tse.