KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky is frustrated with the performance of mixed doubles pair Cheng Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei after they lost in the second round of the Malaysia Open today.
The ninth-ranked pair faced a defeat against the 13th-ranked Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan, 24-22, 21-14, in 42 minutes.
Rexy found it perplexing to witness a significant difference in their performance, especially after winning the first round yesterday.
“Yesterday, against the French pair Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue, where they had lost badly in their most recent encounter, Tang Jie and Ee Wei were able to control their emotions and were very patient to overcome their opponents.
“Today, they were controlling the first set against the Japanese pair but somehow started to panic.
“The Japanese pair kept to their plan, and Tang Jie-Ee Wei were the ones who lost their composure.
“Tang Jie was smashing the shuttle even though it was not on, trying to get quick points. This should not happen for a pair of their level,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tang Jie admitted his disappointment with their performance.
“I can’t think right now. We tried to change our game, but they were just better. Nothing worked for us today.”
The pair’s next assignment is the India Open next week.
In another match, mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See also exited the Malaysian Open after being defeated by the tournament’s fifth seeds, Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin of China, with a score of 21-14, 21-14. – January 11, 2024