Huge task: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei realise they need to work even harder to catch up with the top five pairs in the world.
PETALING JAYA: The semi-final finish at the Korean Masters on Saturday marked mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s one-year anniversary as a pair – and what a year it has been.
From greenhorns to the blue-eyed pair of Malaysia, the duo are now ranked 10th in the world and are in the running to qualify for their first World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next month and the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
On Saturday, they went down 14-21, 17-21 to reigning world champions and eventual winners Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung of South Korea in the semis in Gwangju.
It was their first match-up against the Koreans since the former lifted the world title. Before that, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have beaten them once en route to reaching the German Open quarter-finals but lost in the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup.
“We lost in straight games this time but we tried to give them a good fight.
“We have learnt from this defeat and there’s certainly room for improvement,” said Ee Wei.
It was their third semi-final finish this year in Opens. They also have won four titles to date – Taiwan Open, Orleans Masters and International Challenge in Iran and Bangladesh.
As Ee Wei reflects on her journey over the past 12 months, she finds it hard to believe in their rapid progress. Prior to partnering with Tang Jie, she had to deal with Tuberculosis (TB) for almost two years that hampered her progress.
“From serious sickness to challenging world champions, we have been fighting hard all the way in the last one year,” said Ee Wei.
“I had to keep strengthening my body and go through rehabilitation.
“The best part over the last one year is that we have fought our way to the top 10 standings in the short time.”
Ee Wei is not only grateful that she has been blessed with a compatible partner in Tang Jie but the presence of coaches Rexy Mainaky and Nova Widianto too.
“We’ve teamed up at a crucial time, just with slightly more than a year to qualify for the Olympics, fortunately, coach Nova and Rexy arrived at the same time to help us,” said Ee Wei.
“Tang Jie is the most understanding and hardworking partner. Both of us have the same character too, we focus on what we are doing and are always fighting for the same goals.
“But we need to work even harder to catch up with the top five pairs in the world.”
To date, they have played a total 26 tournaments but Ee Wei believes they have enough energy to accomplish more in the Japan Masters starting tomorrow and next week’s China Masters.
“When I play, I’m serious about it, if not, I’ll be just wasting time. We’ll stay focused in Japan.”
The duo will play qualifiers in the opening round and may play Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie in the second. Soon Huat-Shevon also reached the semi-finals of the Korean Masters before losing 19-21, 15-21 to second seeds Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China.
PAST ONE-YEAR PERFORMANCE
2022
Nov: Paired up, started training.
Dec: Bangladesh International Challenge (champions), Malaysian International Challenge (runners-up).
2023
Jan: Malaysian Open (quarters), Indian Open (second round).
Feb: Iran International Challenge (champions), Asia Mixed Team Championships (group).
March: German Open (quarters), All-England (second round), Swiss Open (quarters).
April: Orleans Masters (champions).
May: Sudirman Cup (semi-finals), Malaysian Masters (first round).
June: Thailand Open (second round), Singapore Open (semis), Indonesian Open (first round), Taiwan Open (champions).
July: Korean Open (first round), Japan Open (second round).
Aug: Australian Open (second round), World Championships (quarters).
Sept: China Open (semis), Hong Kong Open (second round).
Oct: Asian Games (quarters), Arctic Open (semi-finals), Denmark Open (second round), French Open (second round).
Nov: Korean Masters (semis).
