No sweat: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei powered into the last four with a convincing 21-14, 21-12 win over Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara.
PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are bracing for a major test in the Japan Open semi-finals today but they have shown they are ready to rise to the challenge.
After a nervy start to their campaign, Tang Jie-Ee Wei found their rhythm and powered into the last four with a convincing 21-14, 21-12 win over world No. 24 homesters Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in 32 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gym–nasium.
Their performance drew praise from national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky, who lauded the duo for their growing confidence.
They now face a formidable hurdle in China’s world No. 2 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin.
Rexy said Tang Jie-Ee Wei needed some time to find their rhythm again as the Japan tourney was only their third individual outing together since reuniting following a brief split.
“In the first and second rounds, Tang Jie-Ee Wei struggled a bit as they have only been playing together for a short time after reuniting. They were a bit unsure on their game,” said Rexy.
“But I can see today (yesterday), their performance was positive. Both were focused on what they needed to do.
“Ee Wei, especially played well at the front court and this made Hobara lose confidence at the net.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be out to reach their first final this year and Rexy knows that Zhenbang-Yaxin will present a tougher test.
“We hope they can maintain this momentum and continue to play positively in the semi-final against the second seeded Chinese pair,” added Rexy.
The Chinese duo, who are also the defending champions, ended hopes of an all-Malaysian semi-final after beating independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 21-13, 23-21.
Zhenbang-Yaxin ousted Tang Jie-Ee Wei in the last eight in last year’s edition en route to capturing the title.
The former hold a narrow advantage in the head-to-head records after also coming out on top over the latter in the 2023 Arctic Open semi-final while Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s sole win over the Chinese pair so far came in the Orleans Masters quarter-final in the same year.
