PETALING JAYA: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has assured that Toh Ee Wei’s injury is not serious.
The mixed doubles ace and her partner Chen Tang Jie were forced to make a late withdrawal from the Korean Open in Suwon starting today.
The spunky lass had felt some tightness in her back and the coaches decided it was better for the world champions to skip the tournament to give her enough rest ahead of a busy European campaign next month.
The month of October will see shuttlers competing in the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland from Oct 7-12, Denmark Open in Odense from Oct 14-19 and French Open in Cesson-Sevigne from Oct 21-16.
“It’s just a slight tightness in her back, nothing too serious,” said Rexy when contacted.
“She pulled out from Korea to better prepare for the European trip.”
Ee Wei had earlier revealed that she had experienced back discomfort during the China Masters in Shenzhen last week.
She was also reported to be down with a cough and flu.
Despite not being in the best condition, Tang Jie and Ee Wei still managed to reach the final before going down to Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran.
Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were originally seeded third for the tournament and were also the defending champions.
Last year, they clinched the title after overcoming China’s Guo Xinwa-Li Qian in the final.
Although the pair will not be around this time to defend their crown, Malaysia can still count on three other representatives.
Fifth seeds Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie will open their campaign against Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana-Indah Cahya Jami in the first round.
Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin will face Thailand’s Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat, while Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien will meet Taiwan’s Liu Kuang-heng-Jheng Yu-chieh.
Earlier, several other Malaysians had also withdrawn from the Korean Open, including men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, as well as women’s doubles world silver medallists Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
