PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei finally nailed their first final appearance in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) world tour tournament.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) pair defeated Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu 21-10, 21-16 in 34 minutes to reach the title match in the Orleans Open in France.
The world No. 26 made a brisk start in the Super 300 event when they clinched the first game 21-10 but were in a bit of trouble after trailing 13-16 in the second.
However, Tang Jie-Ee Wei recovered brilliantly to secure eight points on the trot to wrap up the match and a place in the final.
They will meet Taiwan’s Ye Hong-wei-Lee Chia Hsin, who beat another Indonesian pair Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina 21-18, 17-21, 21-12, in the final today.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had already achieved their best result in a world tour event on Friday after reaching the semi-finals in Orleans by beating Swiss Open champions Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China 21-14, 21-15.
“The China pair had won a few titles but we did not think too much about that. We just stayed calm on the court and our coach (Nova Widianto) gave us a lot of confidence,” said Ee Wei of their quarter-final victory.
“It is a good breakthrough for us but our job is not done yet.”
Meanwhile, Leong Jun Hao’s spirited run came to an end in the quarter-finals after losing to Magnus Johannessen of Denmark 21-19, 21-16 in the men’s singles on Friday.
Jun Hao did well to upstage Swiss Open champion Koki Watanabe of Japan in the second round but was unable to maintain his form against Johannessen. Malaysians unless stated
n Semi-finalsMen’s singles: Priyanshu Raj (Ind) bt Nhat Nguyen (Ire) 21-12, 21-9.
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu (Ina) 21-10, 21-16; Ye Hong-wei-Lee Chia Hsin (Tpe) bt Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina (Ina) 21-18, 17-21, 21-12.
Quarter-finals
Men’s singles: Magnus Johannessen (Den) bt Leong Jun Hao 21-19, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin (Chn) 21-14, 21-15.
