Malaysia’s world No. 4 mixed doubles duo, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, were eliminated from the Japan Open 2024 semi-finals after a straight-set loss to China’s formidable pair, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The defeat, which came after just 38 minutes of play, exposed key weaknesses in net play and unforced errors.
Chinese Pair Dominates the Front Court Battle
In the high-stakes semi-final match, the Chinese world No. 2 duo displayed exceptional control and tactical superiority, especially at the front court. Wei Ya Xin completely controlled the net, limiting Toh Ee Wei’s ability to assert pressure or control the rhythm of rallies. The Malaysian pair struggled to gain any momentum, losing 21-12, 21-16.
According to Malaysia’s national coaching director Rexy Mainaky, the battle at the net was the deciding factor in the match.
“Ee Wei was slightly off-pace today, and Ya Xin was simply too strong at the net. We clearly lost the net battle,” said Rexy.
He also pointed out that while Toh Ee Wei attempted the right tactical moves, her movement and reaction time at the front court were not sharp enough to counter the aggressive net play from the Chinese side.
Unforced Errors Add to Malaysia’s Struggles
Aside from issues at the net, Chen Tang Jie failed to deliver his usual attacking prowess. The Malaysian shuttler committed multiple unforced errors and relied on hard-hitting shots that were easily read and returned by their opponents.
“Tang Jie made too many predictable shots and unforced errors in the first game, which gave the Chinese a big edge,” Rexy noted.
Despite the defeat, Rexy dismissed any concerns about communication or teamwork between the pair, saying that “everything looked fine” in terms of coordination.
Impact of Past Separation on Performance
Earlier this year, the mixed doubles pair went through a brief split in March, which may still be affecting their competitive sharpness. Although Tang Jie and Ee Wei reunited and have shown signs of improved communication and chemistry, their level of performance hasn’t fully returned to peak form.
National coach Nova Widianto previously stated that the pair had matured after learning to cope with setbacks, especially following their temporary break-up.
Looking Ahead: China Open 2024 as a Chance for Redemption
With the China Open 2024 coming up next week, Tang Jie and Ee Wei will have another opportunity to bounce back. The tournament will be crucial in helping them refine their gameplay, particularly in front-court control, coordination, and minimizing unforced errors.
For now, the Malaysia mixed doubles pair will need to regroup, analyze their mistakes, and focus on strategic improvements if they aim to stay in contention for top-tier badminton titles and maintain their position in the world top 5 rankings.
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