6 days Ago By Faizal Salim
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 4 mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei marked their reunion by helping Malaysia beat Australia 4-1 and book a quarter-final spot in the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, on Tuesday. Tang Jie-Ee Wei brushed aside the scratch pairing of Ricky Tang-Gronya Somerville 21-8, 21-12 in 27 minutes at the Xiamen Olympic Sports Centre to deliver Malaysia's opening point in the Group C tie.
The pair broke up in March due to irreconcilable differences, with Tang Jie subsequently partnering Chan Wen Tse and Ee Wei teaming up with Loo Bing Kun. Tang Jie and Ee Wei were also registered with their "new" partners for the Taiwan Open (May 6-11), Thailand Open (May 13-18) and Malaysia Masters (May 20-25). However, the duo told BAM earlier this month they wished to reunite.
Tang Jie said playing their first tournament together since the breakup means a lot to them. "It's good to be back playing our first tournament for Malaysia. It means a lot to us, and we want to give our best to win every match," Tang Jie told the Badminton World Federation after their match.
"We're still trying to adapt to the wind and court conditions. The stadium is quite large, so we're working on managing that." Ee Wei said: "Two years ago, we also played the opening match, and it's important to give 100 per cent in every game.
"RESULTSGROUP C Malaysia 4 Australia 1Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Ricky Tang-Gronya Somerville 21-8, 21-12; Justin Hoh bt Shrey Dhand 21-9, 21-15; K. Letshanaa bt Bernice Teoh 21-6, 21-8; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Jack Yu-Frederick Zhao 21-8, 21-9; Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting lost to Gronya Somerville-Angela Yu 21-15, 21-18Japan 5 France 0Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara bt Gregoire Deschamp-Elsa Jacob 21-12, 21-12; Koki Watanabe bt Enogat Roy 22-24, 21-6, 21-11; Akane Yamaguchi bt Anna Tatranova 21-4, 21-10; Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita bt Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir 21-12, 21-17; Arisa Higarashi-Chiharu Shida bt Margot Lambert Camille Pognante 21-15, 21-12© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
