PETALING JAYA: Newly crowned world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will not be getting much rest as they head to Hong Kong this weekend for the Hong Kong Open starting on Tuesday.
The mixed doubles pair, seeded third, will begin their campaign against England’s Callum Hemming-Estelle Van Leeuwen in their first-ever meeting.
National mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto has reminded the duo that the spotlight would now be firmly on them, and stressed the importance of staying mentally strong as they carry the weight of their new world champion status.
“For this, I hope they can maintain their consistency moving forward, as compared to other top pairs, that is sometimes the aspect they are still lacking,” said Nova.
“But I believe after becoming world champions, their self-belief will shine through and help them become more consistent.”
Besides Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, women’s doubles world runners-up Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will also be in action at the Hong Kong Open.
They will begin their campaign as the defending champions against Taiwan’s Chang Ching-hui-Yang Chin-tun in the opening round.
However, the spotlight will be on a mouth-watering all-Malaysian clash when the country’s top two men’s singles players, Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao, who will face off in the first round.
The draw pits former Asian champion Zii Jia against national No. 1 Jun Hao in what will be their fourth career meeting, setting the stage for a captivating battle as both are determined to bounce back after disappointing campaigns at the World Championships in Paris last week.
A similar situation awaits the men’s doubles camp as top pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun look to produce stronger results in Hong Kong.
Top seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik will open against England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun will take on compatriots Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.
Second seeds Sze Fei-Izzuddin, meanwhile, have been drawn against China’s Xie Haonan-Zeng Weihan.
Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who impressed in Paris last week, face a tough task against third seeds Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, who are still buoyed by their bronze medal finish at the World Championships.
