World champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei finally ended their long losing streak against Chinese powerhouse duo Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping, securing a dramatic victory that propelled them into the China Masters 2025 final in Shenzhen.
The Malaysian world No. 3 pair showcased grit, resilience, and tactical brilliance in front of a raucous crowd, battling back from one game down to triumph 20-22, 21-19, 21-17 in an enthralling 80-minute semi-final encounter.
Breaking the Hoodoo Against Feng-Huang
For Tang Jie and Ee Wei, this wasn’t just another win — it was a breakthrough moment. Before this semi-final, the Malaysians had suffered four consecutive defeats to Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping since their surprise victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A visibly emotional Tang Jie admitted after the match:
“We are mentally exhausted and honestly, I feel blank right now. This is a big breakthrough, but for us, Feng and Huang are still the best mixed doubles pair in the world. We know there’s still so much more to learn.”
Match Highlights: From Despair to Triumph
The clash lived up to expectations. Feng and Huang showed their pedigree early, storming back from 14-19 down to snatch the opening game 22-20. The Malaysians, however, refused to buckle under pressure.
In the second game, Tang Jie turned up the heat with his explosive smashes and sharp returns, while Ee Wei kept her composure against the vastly experienced Dong Ping. Their chemistry on court paid off as they edged a tense game 21-19 before carrying the momentum into the decider.
By the final stretch, the Malaysians were in full control, sealing the third game 21-17 to celebrate one of the biggest wins of their partnership.
Ee Wei: Character Matters More Than the Scoreline
For Ee Wei, the victory was about more than advancing to the final — it was about proving their mental toughness and growth as a team.
“This is an important breakthrough because our coaches, Nova (Widianto) and Lutfi (Zaim Khalid), always remind us that it’s not just about winning. They want to see our character on court. Whether we are leading or trailing, we must fight for every single point,” she explained.
Road to the Final: Clash with Thai Rivals
The triumph — only their third win in nine head-to-head meetings with Feng and Huang — sets up a blockbuster final against Thailand’s world No. 4 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran.
The Thai duo, who hold a 3-1 advantage over the Malaysians in past encounters, underlined their form by ousting China’s world No. 2 pair Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin 21-17, 22-20 in the other semi-final.
With momentum on their side, Tang Jie and Ee Wei will look to cap off their fairy-tale run in Shenzhen by clinching their first-ever Super 750 crown, a victory that would further cement their rising status among the world’s elite.
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