PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have received a timely boost ahead of the Malaysian Open on Jan 7-12 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil after reaching a career-high No. 5 in the latest world rankings.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei moved up one rung from No. 6 after China's Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong were removed from the rankings list after Siwei's retirement at the end of 2024.
Fellow Malaysians Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin also moved up one spot to No. 6 and No. 20, respectively, while Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing reached No. 19.
In the Malaysian Open, Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin could face each other as early as the second round based on the draw released on Tuesday (Dec 31).
Before that, both pairs should clear their respective opening round hurdles against unseeded Taiwanese pairs.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who are seeded third in the competition, will play Wu Hsuan-yi-Yang Chu-yun in the first round, while Pang Ron-Su Yin will meet Ming Che-lu-Hung En-tzu.
Meanwhile, fourth seeds Soon Huat-Shevon face Americans Presley Smith-Jennie Gai in their opening match while Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito stand in the way of Kian Meng-Pei Jing.
Another home pair Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien have a tough first match against Indonesia's fifth seeds Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emanuelle.
