Odense blues: Chen Tang Jie (left) and Toh Ee Wei lost tamely 15-21, 12-21 to Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
PETALING JAYA: It’s not even a year but mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto has turned Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei into the country’s top pair.
While happy with their steady progress, Nova admits that the duo still lacked the character to be part of the leading pack.
On Thursday, world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei showed their inconsistent side when they lost tamely 15-21, 12-21 to Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the second round of the Denmark Open in Odense.
Indonesian Nova, who comes with vast experience as a player and a coach, said Tang Jie-Ee Wei have done well to move close to the top five pairs.
“They are close but they need the right character to stand tall among the top pairs. Right now, they can easily panic and are still inconsistent ... but I believe with more experience they will narrow that gap,” said Nova, who took up the coaching job in January.
“At the moment, besides the Thais, we have two Chinese pairs, one Japanese, one South Korean at the top. The others are still in the chasing pack. All these top five pairs are different but are consistent.”
The current top five pairs are China’s Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (No.1) and Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping (No.3); Japan’s Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (No.2); world champions Seo Seung-Chae Hu-yung of South Korea (No. 4); and Dechapol-Sapsiree (No.5).
“The standard of the players of this era and when I was playing is about the same. The only significant difference is that these players possess speed and power but their techniques are nothing exceptional.
“We can be in the same group but Tang Jie-Ee Wei must step up.
“They did not play well today (yesterday) and could not cope against the Thais. Also, I think, their play was a bit rushed.”
The duo will be focusing on the French Open next week, and Tang Jie promises to be better.
“Our opponents are world class but we could have given a better fight. We are to be blamed but we will continue to learn from this,” he added.
Meanwhile, it was all over for professionals Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien after going down fighting 15-21, 21-17, 20-22 to Hong Kong’s Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam in the women’s doubles second round.
