KUALA LUMPUR: Fatigue almost derailed world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s campaign at the French Open on Thursday, but the Malaysians dug deep to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The world No. 3 mixed doubles pair battled to a 22-20, 17-21, 22-20 victory over Taiwan’s world No. 18 Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Chan in a 63-minute battle at the Glaz Arena in Cesson-Sevigne.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were 18-15 down in the decider but showed composure to claw back and seal the match in deuce — a satisfying revenge after losing to the same Taiwanese pair at the Singapore Open in May.
Tang Jie admitted they were running on fumes but credited their mental toughness for the win.
“Our condition is not the best yet, but we keep learning from the top players on how to sustain through matches,” he told the Badminton World Federation.
“We still managed to win, and that’s what matters.”
Ee Wei said their fightback from 18-15 down gave them the confidence to turn the tide.
“That breakthrough changed everything. Once we caught up, we knew we could win,” said the 25-year-old.
She added that the pair no longer dwell on their status as world champions.
“We’ve moved on from that title. Our focus now is to keep improving every match,” said Ee Wei.
“Of course, our rivals are studying how to beat us, so we need to stay sharp.”
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will next face Hong Kong’s world No. 8 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Tsuet in Friday’s quarter-finals.
Earlier, independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai cruised past Scotland’s Alexander Dunn-Julie MacPherson 21-13, 21-10 to book their last-eight clash against China‘s world No. 2 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
