Sweating it out: Chen Tang Jie (left) and Toh Ee Wei during a training session at the Axiata Arena. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have been served a timely reminder to not take their opponents lightly in the Malaysian Masters despite their top seed status.
In the recent Thailand Open, 2021 world champions and home favourites Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai had to settle for runners-up after surprisingly losing in three games to China’s world No. 25 Chen Xing-Chen Fang Hui.
World No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei are on high alert after Dechapol-Sapsiree’s defeat as they begin their campaign at home today at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil against another Thai pair Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Phataimas Muenwong.
“Dechapol-Sapsiree were the top seeds in the Thailand Open but they lost in the final to a lower ranked pair,” said Tang Jie.
“This is a warning for us as well not to take any opponent lightly.
“Yes, we are the top seeds (in the Malaysian tourney) but this does not mean we have much advantage over the other pairs.
“We will be focusing on ourselves and will try to play our best,” added Tang Jie.
Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were the last Malaysians to win the home Masters when they triumphed in 2017.
While aware that they will not face a straightforward task in their bid to end the title drought, Tang Jie-Ee Wei are keen to go all out.“Playing at home does give us a lot of motivation to do well,” said Tang Jie.
“The fans here only get to see us play live in the stadium twice in the Masters and Malaysian Open, so we want to repay them by going all out.”
Winning the title will be a big boost for Tang Jie-Ee Wei ahead of the Paris Olympics in June after they finished runners-up twice so far this year in the Thailand Masters in January and Swiss Open in March.
The duo last stood on the highest podium in the Taiwan Open last June.
