National shuttlers Chen Tang Jie (back) and Toh Ee Wei testing the courts at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil ahead of the Malaysian Open in Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A perfect record against an opponent does not guarantee a win.
Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei know this all too well and are taking a cautious approach in their opening match against world No. 10 Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu in the Malaysian Open Tuesday (Jan 6), despite holding a 6-0 record over their opponents.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have already been bitten once after suffering a shock defeat to Thailand’s eventual gold medallists Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat in the SEA Games semi-finals last month despite never losing to the latter in three previous meetings.
The reigning world champions are not letting their guards down this time against the tricky Jafar-Felisha especially with the latter pushing the former to three games in four of their past matches.
"It has always been tough for us against the Indonesians. We have to be ready to face them," said Tang Jie after a training session at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Monday (Jan 5).
"We have been preparing like how we always do and we will go all out to try to win."
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be competing at home for the first time since their historic world title triumph last August in Paris.
While keen to perform well in front of the expectant home fans, Ee Wei stressed that playing without placing undue pressure on themselves is key for her and Tang Jie.
"It does not matter that we are playing at home before or after becoming world champions," said Ee Wei.
"We have to enjoy playing badminton as recently we have been putting too much pressure on ourselves.
“We will take it step by step. If we think too far ahead, we will not get the result we want."
Tang Jie-Ee Wei reached the semi-finals last year before going down to China’s world No. 1 Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping.
If they can maintain their 100 percent record against Jafar-Felisha, the pair will face world No. 21 teammates Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin or Denmark’s world No. 12 Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje in the second round.
Meanwhile, the other Malaysian representatives in the mixed doubles are world No. 9 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, world No. 26 Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien (No. 37).
Soon Huat-Shevon will open their campaign against Taiwan’s Wu Guan-xun-Lee Chia-hsin while Jimmy-Pei Jing, who will be making their debuts together in the competition, will meet Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.
Tien Ci-Chiew Sien face an uphill battle against Yanzhe-Dongping.
