Grinding out victories even on difficult days is what separates champions from the rest, and Malaysia’s world-beating mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei proved exactly that as they clawed their way into the semi-finals of the 2025 China Masters on Friday.
The reigning World Champions had to dig deep to outlast Hong Kong’s world No. 6 duo Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet, eventually sealing a hard-fought 21-12, 12-21, 21-17 triumph after a punishing 61-minute quarter-final duel inside Shenzhen Arena.
Tang Jie Praises Ee Wei for Leading the Way
Just a day earlier, Tang Jie had carried much of the responsibility when Ee Wei struggled with flu during their second-round clash against Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Pasaribu. This time, however, the script was reversed.
“I was the one taking charge yesterday, but today Ee Wei stepped up with a clear game plan and strong mindset,” Tang Jie told the Badminton World Federation. “We didn’t have it easy — the draught in the arena made controlling our shots tricky, and our opponents had the edge with a better strategy for long stretches. But we pulled through because of our communication and trust.”
Ee Wei Recovers and Adjusts to Hong Kong’s Unique Style
Ee Wei, now fully recovered from illness, admitted it took time to adjust to Chun Man and Tse’s unusual left-handed partnership — a rare combination on the world circuit.
“We had only faced them once before, back at the 2023 Arctic Open, and that was quite a while ago. So, it took us time to adapt,” Ee Wei explained. “We definitely made too many unforced errors, but we kept motivating each other, stayed patient, and eventually found the winning formula.”
At match point, with the score poised at 20-17, cameras caught Ee Wei having a long discussion with Tang Jie before serving. She later revealed it was purely about calming nerves.
“At that moment, it was all about focus. I told Tang Jie to stay calm because they were still close on our heels. One mistake could have changed everything. I’m just glad we managed to hold on and close the match,” she said with relief.
Hardened by World Championship Success
Their triumph in Paris last month, where they became Malaysia’s first-ever mixed doubles world champions, has clearly steeled Tang Jie and Ee Wei for battles like these. The pair’s mental fortitude and ability to grind out results under pressure are now setting them apart on the world stage.
With a semi-final ticket secured, the Malaysian duo now brace themselves for another massive test against either the world No. 1 pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping or the world No. 5 team Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui, both from China.
Regardless of who stands across the net, Tang Jie and Ee Wei have already shown that they have the composure, resilience, and champion mentality to withstand the toughest challenges in world badminton.
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