Real misery: Chen Tang Jie (front) and Toh Ee Wei lost to China’s Guo Xinwa-Wei Yaxin in the second round. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: It’s never easy to recover after a heartbreaking defeat but shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have vowed to keep their heads up and soldier on.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei suffered an agonising 18-21, 21-12, 19-21 loss to China’s Guo Xinwa-Wei Yaxin in the mixed doubles second round of the Hong Kong Open on Thursday.
The defeat was more painful as the former had led 19-13 in the third game but could not hold on.
“Results are everything and we respect all suggestions, criticisms and chastisements,” said Tang Jie via social media.
“In all fairness, when it comes to winning or losing, no one wants to lose because no one wants to be sad and shed tears.
“For us, the ones who couldn’t grasp the lead, got overtaken and then lost the game, the feeling is indescribable.
“It feels like a day has passed like a century, replaying our performance on the court over and over, feeling disappointed again and again.
“No matter what, a loss is a loss, there’s no reason for it.
“We will keep working hard and do our best for the badminton we love,” added Tang Jie.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have proved that they can overcome setbacks in their short partnership so far.
The duo, who were only paired together last December, remain the only Malaysians to have captured two World Tour titles so far this year – the Orleans Masters in April and Taiwan Open in June.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei suffered three back-to-back early round exits at the Korean, Japan and Australian Opens after their triumph in the Taiwan tourney but bounced back strongly to reach the last eight in their maiden World Championships in Copenhagen last month.
They were the only mixed doubles pair from the country to make it into the quarter finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei followed that up by reaching their first Super 1000 competition semi-finals at the China Open in Changzhou last week.
Their good performances propelled them to a career high No. 9 in the world, becoming Malaysia’s No. 1 mixed doubles pair in the process.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei now have an opportunity to turn their form around again when they make their debuts at the Asian Games in Hangzhou from Sept 23-Oct 8.
