Not good enough: Chen Tang Jie (right) and Toh Ee Wei in action against Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan. — Badminton Photo
PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei still have some way to go to close the gap with the world’s very best.
The duo were flying high after toppling world No. 8 Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in the mixed doubles third round of the World Championships but were brought back down to earth just a day later by Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei found the world No. 2 too hot to handle and crashed out 11-21, 11-21 in the quarter-finals at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen yesterday.
Tang Jie acknowledged that Watanabe-Higashino were superior on the day but has vowed to match them in the future.
“We did not bring out our A game today (yesterday) and the quality of our opponents caused us to struggle,” said Tang Jie.
“We will watch the video of the match and improve, and try hard to beat them the next time we meet them.”
Meanwhile, mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto could not hide his disappointment with his world No. 17’s display against the Japanese pair.
“Tang Jie and Ee Wei played badly today (yesterday),” lamented Nova.
“However tough the opponents are, they should not lose in this manner.
“They were nervous during the match and played with a lack of confidence.”
Despite the defeat, Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who were only paired together last December, can still look back on an encouraging outing in what was their maiden world meet as a pair.
The duo will next turn their attention to the China Open from Sept 5-10 in Changzhou.
