PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s homework on South Korea’s Kim Jae-hyeon-Jang Ha-jeong gave them the edge to book their place in the Singapore Open quarter-finals.
World No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei cruised into the last eight in Singapore after a 22-20, 21-14 win against the world No. 67 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday.
Despite the big difference in rankings, the South Koreans had stunned the reigning world champions at the Asian Championship quarter-finals in China last month during their first meeting.
Tang Jie said the pair did their homework to ensure they would not let their opponents get the upper hand this time.
“We focused on how we could get points from them (Jae-hyeon-Ha-jeong) as we had lost to them at the Asian Championships,” said Tang Jie.
“We discussed how we could win because their defence is very solid. So we needed a strong attacking strategy.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are aiming for a strong showing in Singapore following their disappointing run at the Malaysian Masters last week, where they crashed out in the quarter-finals.
The Malaysians will face India’s Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto next for a spot in the semi-finals.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have not lost to the Indian pair in three previous encounters, with the most recent coming at the Asian meet last month.
Meanwhile, women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s campaign ended in the second round after they were upset 16-21, 19-21 by Thai sisters and world No. 105 Benyapa and Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
The Malaysian duo were making their comeback since competing at the Asian Championships last month as Pearly’s back injury had forced them to miss the recent Malaysian Masters.
“I’m happy to have finished the match safely. I am injury-free, but I just want us to get our momentum back,” said Pearly.
“But our game didn’t go so well. Our opponents pressured us, and it cost us.”
Thinaah echoed her partner’s comments, saying: “It has been some time since we competed together.
“The positive side of things is that we are injury-free, and we will focus on our next game.”
The duo will prepare for the Super 1000 Indonesian Open in Jakarta from June 2-7, where they are set to face Canada’s Jackie Dent-Crystal Lai in the opening round.
