KUALA LUMPUR – National mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have broken their second-round curse this season as they advance to the semifinals of the Thailand Masters at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Facing Dutch duo Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek, the world number nine pair swatted aside the challenge of the world number 15 in straight sets, 21-12, 25-23, in 40 minutes.
Tang Jie and Ee Wei have had a wretched start to their season, after suffering consecutive second round exits starting with the Malaysia Open last month, when they folded under the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd and lost to Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan, 24-22, 21-14 in 42 minutes.
Then at the India Open the following week, they succumbed to Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 21-19, 21-16 in 51 minutes.
At the Indonesia Masters last week they lost to home pair Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 12-21, 21-13, 21-14 in an hour.
At the Super 300 tournament this week, Tang Jie-Ee Wei are the only Malaysians left in the draw and will play the winner of the match between Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand and Midorikawa-Saito of Japan in the semifinals tomorrow. – February 2, 2024