KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei had their coach Nova Widianto to thank for keeping their Japan Open title hopes alive on Thursday.
The world No. 4 mixed doubles pair overcame a shaky start before bouncing back to beat Indonesia’s world No. 14 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu 17-21, 21-16, 21-12 to reach the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Jafar-Felisha, who had stunned China‘s world No. 9 and All England champions Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui in the opening round, looked poised for another upset after taking the first game.
But a timely tactical switch by Nova turned the tide for the Malaysians, who sealed victory in 58 minutes to book their place in the quarter-finals.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky revealed that Tang Jie-Ee Wei were initially too passive, allowing the Indonesians to dictate play.
“Tang Jie-Ee Wei were waiting too much and not finishing off rallies. That allowed the Indonesians to control the game,” said Rexy.
“After the first game, Nova told Ee Wei to take charge at the front court and not worry too much about covering Tang Jie at the back. That shift allowed them to get back to their usual rhythm.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next take on Japan’s world No. 24 Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in the quarter-finals on Friday, but must maintain their communication to stay in contention at the Super 750 event.
Meanwhile, world No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai continued their red-hot form by reaching their ninth quarter-final in 10 tournaments this year.
The husband-and-wife duo were composed and clinical in their 21-14, 21-17 win over Singapore’s Terry Hee-Jin Yu Jia.
Soon Huat-Shevon, who also made the semi-finals at the Malaysia Open and India Open in January, will now face China‘s world No. 2 pair Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin — a pair they have only beaten once in eight past encounters.
Zhen Bang-Ya Xin underlined their credentials with a crushing 21-9, 21-6 win over world No. 13 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin in just 29 minutes.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
