PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei staged an impressive fightback to reach the quarter-finals of the China Open in Changzhou on Thursday (July 23).
The duo defeated China’s Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying 22-20, 21-17 in the second round but not after some tense moments.
Despite being the fourth seeds, Tang Jie-Ee Wei looked nervous early on against Jiaxuan-Mengying and trailed 4-11 in the opening game.
But a timely pep talk from coach Nova Widianto and coaching director Rexy Mainaky during the interval helped spark a turnaround, as the Malaysians clawed their way back to win the first game 22-20.
They rode on the momentum in the second game to seal their place in the quarter-finals with a 21-17 win.
Awaiting them next is another strong home pair, Guo Xinwa and Chen Fanghui.
