KUALA LUMPUR – National mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei could not bag their first title of the season after falling at the hands of home pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai in their final at the Thailand Masters.
Malaysia’s world number nine pair had the odds stacked against them with the sixth-ranked Thais having a 4-1 win record going into the match at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok today.
Yesterday, Tang Jie and Ee Wei exacted revenge on Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan – who sent them packing in the second round at the Malaysia Open last month – winning 21-11, 21-17 in 33 minutes.
But they could not avenge themselves against Puavaranukroh-Taerattanachai, who booted them out at the round of 16 of the India Open two weeks ago.
In today’s final, Tang Jie-Ee Wei crumbled under the vociferous support of the home crowd, losing in straight sets 21-12, 21-18 in 46 minutes.
This is by far the national number ones’ best result this season after being sent home in the second round in three tournaments in a row.
They also exited in the second round of the Indonesia Masters, losing to Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 12-21, 21-13, 21-14 in an hour last week.
For their runners-up effort in Thailand, the 2023 Orleans Masters winners take home US$7,980 (RM37,645.68) in prize money. – February 4, 2024