World champs raise the bar in national camp

KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have raised the bar with their world title, and national mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto wants the others to rise too.

Nova has urged Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin to show greater progress on the World Tour.

Nova said having world champions within the national set-up make a huge difference. And this factor can inspire world No. 14 Pang Ron-Su Yin to the next level and also galvanise more mixed doubles pairs in rising up the ranks.

Nova pointed out that Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s World Championships triumph in 2022 has led to Malaysia having many quality pairs in the men’s doubles.

“I think Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s success is a significant benchmark. Now Pang Ron-Su Yin have a world champion pair to look up to, and this is going to elevate our mixed doubles,” said Nova.

“If these pairs are able to beat Tang Jie-Ee Wei or give them a fight, it means the standard is already there.

“It’s just like in the men’s doubles — we have Aaron-Wooi Yik who are already world champions. So, the standard is already set — already there.

“The others below them will follow quickly and will catch up. This is the scenario we are looking forward to now.”

Nova hopes that Pang Ron-Su Yin are fired up for a smashing show at the Hong Kong Open which begins tomorrow.

“I strongly believe Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s feat will inspire them,” added Nova.

“Hopefully, we can get more players where we can have three or four quality pairs to have a stronger pool.”

Tang Jie-Ee Wei have withdrawn from the Hong Kong Open, which will see Pang Ron-Su Yin play their first-round match against Ukraine’s world No. 231 Oleksii Titov-Yevheniia Kantemyr.

The other BAM pair in action are world No. 276 Loo Bing Kun-Go Pei Kee, who meet Japan’s world No. 270 Yuta Watanabe-Misaki Matsutomo in the qualifying rounds. World No. 8 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai will open their campaign on Wednesday against a qualifying pair.

World No. 34 Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien take on Hong Kong’s world No. 5 Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet in the first round.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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