Work harder: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei react after losing to China’s Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open on Saturday. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Old issues continue to haunt mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
World No. 5 Tang Jie-Ee Wei could not produce their best performance and went down 19-21, 14-21 to China’s world No. 1 Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping in the Malaysian Open semi-finals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
Coach Nova Widianto shared that his charges still lacked consistency against the top Chinese pairs and were not mentally strong enough to handle the huge pressure of playing at home.
“Tang Jie-Toh started well in both the games but after that their old problems resurfaced. When the opponents started to catch up, they became nervous,” said Nova.
“They could not execute their own game. They need to improve on this. They were doing better in tournaments before this.
“Perhaps the pressure of playing at home in front of so many fans got to them. Their game plan was good but they could not find a way out after the opponents caught up.
“They started making mistakes. This has nothing to do with the technical aspect to their game but more on their mental strength and ability to cope with the high expectations.
“Most of their defeats last year was also down to these issues. It seemed like they had overcome them but it’s still affecting them,” added Nova.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei also fell to Chinese opponents in their last two tournaments in 2024.
The pair went down fighting to Paris Olympics champions Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong in three games in the final of the World Tour Finals last month and lost again to Yanzhe-Dongping in the last four of the China Masters in November.
Siwei-Yaqiong retired after the Finals but China still boast two strong pairs in Yanzhe-Dongping and world No. 2 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin.
Nova said that while Tang Jie-Ee Wei were getting more consistent against the pairs ranked lower than them, they need to close the gap with China’s current top two.
“I’m disappointed with how they played in the semi-finals but overall, their performance in the tournament was not bad,” said Nova.
“Most importantly, they did not lose to a lower ranked pair. At least they are getting more consistent against these pairs.
“But we have to admit that China are currently the strongest in the mixed doubles.
“So, Tang Jie-Ee Wei need to become mentally stronger to challenge the Chinese pairs more consistently.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next turn their attentions to the Indian Open starting tomorrow in New Delhi.
The pair face a tricky opening round match against teammates and world No. 20 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin.
On the upcoming tournament, Nova said: “It’s not a good draw for them as both Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Pang Ron-Su Yin know each other’s game so well.
“I hope whichever pair wins will go far in the tournament.”