Tang Jie-Ee Wei fired up to go far in the absence of top guns

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei missed out on a golden opportunity to advance further in the just concluded All-England in Birmingham but should make better progress by capitalising on the absence of top pairs in the Swiss Open.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei had upset former world champions Dechapol Puavanukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand in the first round but suffered an unexpected defeat to Dutch pair Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek in Birmingham.

They face a tricky campaign against Singapore’s Commonwealth Games champions Terry Hee-Jessica Tan in the first round today.

It will be the first meeting between the two pairs and Tang Jie-Ee Wei, the world No. 9, are likely to overcome the Singaporeans to advance.

A win should see them meeting compatriots Yap Roy King-Veleree Siow in the second round. Roy King-Veleree should not face problems beating India’s K. Sathish Kumar-V. Aadya in their opening match.

The withdrawal of world No. 5 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin from China, whom Tang Jie-Ee Wei were seeded to meet in the semi-finals, could increase the possibility of the Malaysian pair reaching the final in Basel.

Fast improving Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin will also have the upper hand against independent compatriots Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See in the first round.

Independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie should at least try to reach the last eight to avoid dropping further in the world ranking.

The world No. 14 reached the quarter-finals in Basel last year and their ranking could slip further if they lose in the preliminary rounds.

Men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who are out of the running to claim a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, have withdrawn from the tournament.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi suffered two consecutive first-round defeats in the French Open and the All England.

Their focus next will be on the Asian Championships from April 9-14 where they finished runners-up in Dubai last year.