Hong Kong’s experienced mixed doubles star Tse Ying Suet once again proved that age is just a number, delivering a masterclass performance to knock out Malaysia’s world champions at the Malaysian Open.
Despite being 35 years old, Ying Suet showed remarkable sharpness and tactical intelligence as she teamed up with her partner Tang Chun Man to defeat reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei in a thrilling quarter-final encounter. The Hong Kong duo secured a 21-17, 17-21, 21-10 victory at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, ending the Malaysian pair’s campaign in front of their home supporters.
Coming into the match, Tang Jie and Ee Wei held a slight edge in their head-to-head record, having won two of their previous three meetings against the world No. 8 Hong Kong pair. However, statistics mattered little on the day as Ying Suet and Chun Man displayed superior game management, composure, and adaptability when it mattered most.
Ranked world No. 4, the Malaysian world champions struggled to find consistency throughout the contest. Although they managed to bounce back strongly in the second game after losing the opener, their momentum faded in the deciding game. The Hong Kong pair seized control early in the third set, racing ahead with aggressive net play and precise shot placement to close out the match in 67 minutes.
The loss was particularly painful for Malaysian fans as Hong Kong’s victory was orchestrated by two familiar figures. Former national players and Malaysian coaches Wong Choong Hann and Jeremy Gan played key roles behind the scenes. Choong Hann currently serves as Hong Kong’s head coach, while Jeremy Gan oversees the mixed doubles department, adding an extra layer of irony to the defeat.
After the match, Tang Jie acknowledged that their opponents executed their game plan more effectively.
“After winning the second game, we felt confident going into the decider,” Tang Jie said. “But early in the third game, I couldn’t create enough attacking chances. Our service and receive were not good enough, and the Hong Kong pair adjusted their tactics better than us.”
Ee Wei echoed her partner’s sentiments, expressing disappointment but accepting the result with professionalism.
“Of course we’re disappointed, but this is part of sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” she said. “We need to sit down and analyse our mistakes. We feel very sorry for the fans — the stadium was full from the first day, and they came to support us, but we couldn’t deliver the result they hoped for.”
The defeat brought an abrupt end to Tang Jie and Ee Wei’s hopes of reaching back-to-back semi-finals at their home tournament. With their exit, Malaysia’s challenge in the mixed doubles category at the Malaysian Open has officially come to an end.
Looking ahead, the Malaysian pair will now shift their focus to the Indian Open, which begins next Tuesday in New Delhi, as they aim to bounce back quickly on the World Tour.
Meanwhile, Ying Suet and Chun Man will carry Hong Kong’s hopes into the semi-finals, where they face a formidable challenge against China’s world No. 1 pairing Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping for a place in the final.
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