PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto was left puzzled by the defeat of his charges Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei in the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Masters on Friday.
What disappointed Nova even more was that he felt the pair looked lifeless as they went down 18-21, 16-21 to China’s Gao Jiaxuan-Wei Yaxin.
Although Yaxin was last year’s finalist alongside Jiang Zhenbang, Nova did not believe Tang Jie-Ee Wei lost because the Chinese pair were tactically superior despite being a scratch combination.
Instead, he admitted he was baffled, especially by Tang Jie’s performance in the match.
“I don’t know how to explain Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s loss today,” said Nova.
“If we say it was nerves, I think everyone feels nervous. But I was talking to coach Rexy Mainaky earlier and I told him this was the first time I had seen Tang Jie like this.
“He just looked blank. So I think it was more than nerves.
“It was like there was nothing, no follow-up, no response, just blank. It was not because the Chinese pair played well today.
“I also don’t think Tang Jie played well, but we looked like we had no idea, no fight, no soul in that match. That’s all.’’
Nova also felt the defeat was unacceptable as Tang Jie-Ee Wei did not have to deal with a packed schedule unlike other players who had competed in the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals and the Thailand Open last week.
“For me, they should have been better. They did not go to the Thomas-Uber Cup, so they had more time to prepare.
“Even though there was a slight issue with Tang Jie’s leg, I do not think that can be an excuse because they had been out of competition for some time.
“When we play in a big tournament, even if this is a Super 500, this is still our home tournament.
“We have to do our best to win the title here,” added Nova.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next compete in the Singapore Open, which begins on Tuesday, where they will face fellow Malaysians Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing in the opening round.
