KUALA LUMPUR – With Malaysia’s men’s and women’s doubles enjoying a winning streak this season, the pressure is now on the mixed doubles pairs to deliver, says national head coach Nova Widianto.
“Men’s and women’s doubles are doing well … Only the mixed doubles (national squad) have yet to win a title this year,” he said after a training session today.
Nova is hoping the mixed pairs can break their title drought ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Paris, scheduled from August 25 to 31.
“Hopefully, we can get the best results and emerge victorious in at least one tournament, either the Japan Open or China Open,” he said, as quoted by Bernama.
The Japan Open will be held from July 15 to 20 in Tokyo, followed by the China Open in Changzhou from July 22 to 27.
So far, former world men’s doubles champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have bagged three titles – the Badminton Asia Championships in April, and the Thailand and Singapore Opens last month.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun added two more to the men’s tally, winning the Indonesia Masters in January and Malaysia Masters in May.
On the women’s side, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah lifted the Thailand Open title and finished as runners-up at both the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open.
Nova noted steady improvement from top mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, particularly in communication since their reunion in April.
“There are no longer any issues, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. Communication is good now, although their gameplay still hasn’t reached its full potential.
“Hopefully, we can make the most of the time left to improve before the Japan Open.”
Tang Jie and Ee Wei, world number four, were re-paired for the 2025 Sudirman Cup in China, where they helped Malaysia reach the quarter-finals. The duo had split in March due to a strained relationship. – June 27, 2025