KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei need to work on their consistency if they hope to keep scaling greater heights.
Expectations were high on the reigning world champions in the Malaysian Open but the duo suffered disappointment after going down 17-21, 21-17, 10-21 to Hong Kong’s world No. 8 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet in the quarter-finals at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Friday (Jan 9).
Mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto did not mince his words after seeing his charges fall short, saying that the defeat was avoidable and the world No. 4 pair still lacked consistency.
“Our target was to at least reach the final and we want to apologise for not delivering,” said Nova.
“Honestly, the match was there for the taking but sadly, Tang Jie-Ee Wei could not stay consistent and lost focus in the third game.
“The Hong Kong pair were tiring but our pair could not take advantage.
“If you ask me, there’s no way our pair should be physically outmatched as they are younger than their opponents,” added Nova.
Ying Suet is still going strong at the age of 34 while Chun Man is 30.
Meanwhile, Tang Jie turned 28 on Monday (Jan 5) while Ee Wei is 25.
Nova said that while Tang Jie-Ee Wei have improved on their consistency since capturing the world title last August in Paris, the duo still have work to do if they hope to reach similar heights after this.
“Tang Jie-Ee Wei are becoming more consistent in the sense that they are not losing in the first or second rounds since becoming world champions,” said Nova.
“But they are still unable to reach back-to-back semi-finals or finals. So, they have to work on this.
“We are not talking about winning titles yet but as the fourth seeds, they need to at least justify their seeding by making it into the last four in tournaments regularly” he said.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s best achievement since their world triumph was winning the World Tour Super 500 Australian Open last November.
The duo also finished runners-up in the Super 750 China Masters in September and won bronze in the Thailand SEA Games last month.
Nova has urged Tang Jie-Ee Wei to bounce back quickly in the Indian Open which starts on Tuesday (Jan 13) in New Delhi.
“They are disappointed but they cannot afford to dwell on the defeat in the home Open,” said Nova.
“They have to try to forget about this and turn their focus to the Indian tourney. I hope they can at least reach the semi-finals there.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will open their campaign in India against China’s world No. 14 Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi.
