KUALA LUMPUR – Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei are certainly a changed pair after the Paris Olympics.
The national mixed doubles duo reached their maiden Super 500 final after defeating China’s Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi 22-20, 21-19 in the Korea Open semi-finals today.
Previously, Tang Jie and Ee Wei’s best achievements were winning two Super 300 titles (the 2023 Orleans Masters and the Taipei Open).
Speaking to rights holders SpoTV, Tang Jie explained the recent Olympics’ impact on him and Ee Wei.
“Going into the Olympics, we really wanted to do well. That’s why after the Games, it felt like a reset for us,” Tang Jie said.
“This is a huge breakthrough for us because, before this, we only made the Super 300 finals, nothing above that.
“Hopefully, we can prepare and put in another good performance tomorrow,” added the 26-year-old.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei, who had a superb Olympic debut by reaching the quarter-finals, will play another Chinese pair, Guo Xin Wa and Li Qian, in the final tomorrow.
In the earlier semi-final match, the unheralded world number 241 upset third seeds Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun of South Korea 21-14, 22-24, 21-10.
When asked about their opponents tomorrow, Tang Jie replied: “We didn’t get to watch their match earlier because we were playing next.
“However, I’m sure they are a strong pair, or else they wouldn’t be playing in the final.
“Ee Wei and I need to remain calm and communicate well on court tomorrow.”
Separately, Ee Wei wished Malaysians a happy Merdeka and urged fans to continue to stand by them. – August 31, 2024