Uncompromising: Toh Ee Wei returning a shot as Chen Tang Jie looks on during their mixed doubles second round match against Taiwan’s Lu Ming-che-Hung En-tzu. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have matched their best performance in the Malaysian Open by reaching the quarter-finals, but they are far from satisfied.
They want to go at least one step better by exacting revenge against Japan’s world No. 14 Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito in today’s quarter-finals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Yesterday, the world No. 5 Tang Jie-Ee Wei lived up to their reputation by securing a comfortable 21-8, 21-14 win over Taiwan’ s world No. 51 Lu Ming-che-Hung En-tzu in the second round.
It marked the pair’s return to the last eight, a feat they first achieved during their maiden appearance in 2023, which remains their best result in this home tourney.
Last year, they fell short in the second round to Midorikawa-Saito at home.
Midorikawa-Saito stunned Indonesia’s world No. 8 Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emanuelle 21-17, 21-17 in another second-round match
“I think we’ve never felt that the quarter-finals was our best result,” said the 27-year-old Tang Jie.
“The past is the past.
“As athletes, no one likes to lose, and we’re no different.
“We just stick to our routines, paying close attention to the details.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei hold a slight advantage in terms of their head-to-head record against the Japanese, having triumphed in three of their five previous encounters with the Japanese pair.
“We’ve played them several times before,” said the 24-year-old Ee Wei.
“For now, it’s important to rest and stick to our routines.
“We’ll discuss with our coach before tomorrow’s match.”
Meanwhile, independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie lived up to their reputation as fourth seeds to cruise into the quarter-finals of the home tournament although the latter was down with fever.
World No. 6 Soon Huat-Shevon secured a straightforward 21-10, 21-17 win over India’s world No. 34 Sathish Kumar Karunakaran-Aadya Variyath in the second round.
The Malaysian duo will face China’s Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi, who defeated another Indian pair Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto 21-13, 22-20, in the last eight today.
Said Soon Huat: “She (Shevon) is not in her best condition as she is still recovering from a fever, so she could not play in long rallies.
“Hence, I had to think what are the strategies that we can use and try to cover more on the court.
Shevon believes their experience was the key to their success in the match.
“In the second game, our opponents managed to find the rhythm and momentum of our game, and gave us a tough time on court,” said Shevon.
“I think it was our experience that got us through.’’
