KUALA LUMPUR: Newly crowned world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have surged back into the world’s top three, matching their career-best ranking in the latest BWF release today.
The pair nicknamed the “Gangster Duo”, who stunned China‘s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in Paris final last Sunday, climbed one spot to No. 3 — a position they last held in July.
With Zhen Bang-Ya Xin reclaiming the No. 1 spot from their compatriots Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping, Tang Jie-Ee Wei now stand as the closest challengers to China‘s mixed doubles duopoly.
Buoyed by their triumph, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will fancy their chances of cracking further ground, especially after proving they can handle the pressure of the big stage despite having briefly split earlier this year.
There was also cause for cheer in the women’s doubles, with Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah further solidifying their status at world No. 2.
The silver medallists in Paris remain some way behind leaders Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China, whom they lost to in the final, but their consistent results have made them the undisputed second-best pair in the world.
Having broken into the top three for the first time this season, Pearly-Thinaah now look well set to sustain their challenge at the very top.
The men’s doubles also produced plenty of positives. The biggest movers were Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who climbed one place to a career-high No. 6 after a quarter-final finish in Paris.
With current No. 5 Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia set to split, Wei Chong-Kai Wun could find themselves breaking into the elite top five bracket if they continue to trend in the right direction.
Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King also scaled new heights by rising two rungs to No. 20 — their career-best — after a memorable run to the third round, where they almost shocked Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysian thriller.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the 2022 world champions, remain unmoved at No. 2, while Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani held steady at No. 3.
In men’s singles, national No. 1 Leong Jun Hao also made progress, climbing two rungs to a career-high No. 23 after his fighting display in Paris.
Olympic bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia rose four places to No. 47 after earning points from his first outing in five months.
Although his World Championships comeback ended in the opening round, the boost in ranking provides a timely lift as he rebuilds his career momentum. He’s still enjoying his ranking protection which stands at No. 9, which will enable him to enter any World Tour tournaments for the next five months.
Meanwhile, K. Letshanaa, who impressed on her debut, remained the highest-ranked Malaysian women’s singles shuttler. She moved up two spots to a career-best No. 38.
In mixed doubles, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai slipped two places to No. 8, but there was consolation in the form of Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, who climbed two rungs to No. 14 after their gallant march to the quarter-finals.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
