KUALA LUMPUR – There was a strong showing from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) doubles department today, with three national pairs from three different sectors advancing to the semi-finals of the Super 1000 Indonesia Open.
The first to secure their spot at the Istora Senayan were world No. 4 mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, who fought back from a game down to defeat Denmark’s Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund 17-21, 21-16, 21-14 in the quarter-finals.
Competing in only their second tournament together since reuniting after a brief split, Tang Jie and Ee Wei appear to be gradually rebuilding their chemistry and trust.
“It wasn’t easy because they (Toft and Magelund) are top players too,” said Ee Wei in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“But our coach motivated us and asked us to stay confident. Most importantly, we trusted each other in this match.”
Reflecting on their earlier separation, Tang Jie added: “We realised we need to be more responsible and patient.”
The Malaysians will face Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran next, after the Thai pair stunned independent duo Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai 21-16, 21-12.
In the men’s doubles, Malaysia Masters champions Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun extended their fine run by upsetting India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty — the former world No. 1s and reigning Asian Games champions — with a confident 21-19, 21-16 win.
The seventh seeds will take on Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani for a place in the final. The eighth-seeded Indonesians had earlier shocked world No. 1’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 21-19, 9-21, 21-19.
Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, national top pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah cruised past last week’s Singapore Open finalists Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan, winning 21-6, 21-18. They are set to meet China’s Li Yi Jing and Luo Xu Min in the semi-finals. — June 6, 2025