KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s mixed doubles campaign at the Japan Open came to an end on Friday as both pairs, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
World No. 9 pair Tang Jie and Ee Wei were defeated by China’s world No. 4 duo, Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, with a score of 21-16, 21-18. This marks the second loss for Tang Jie and Ee Wei in three meetings with the Chinese pair.
The rivalry between these pairs dates back to last year when they faced each other twice. The Malaysians secured a victory in their first encounter, which contributed to their Orleans Masters title win in April. However, the Chinese pair evened the score six months later, triumphing in the semi-finals of the Arctic Open in Finland.
As the new four-year Olympic cycle begins, leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, Tang Jie and Ee Wei can expect to face a continued rivalry with Zhen Bang and Ya Xin. The Chinese pair, who teamed up in 2022, have already secured seven titles, including the prestigious Asian Championships this year, and seem poised to continue China’s strong legacy in mixed doubles.
In the other quarter-final, Malaysia’s world No. 15 duo, Kian Meng and Pei Jing, were unable to reach their third consecutive semi-final on the World Tour. They were defeated by Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet, with a scoreline of 21-18, 23-25, 21-9. The Malaysian pair had two match points at 22-21 and 23-22 in the second game but were unable to capitalize on them.
Despite the loss, Kian Meng and Pei Jing displayed commendable resilience, staging a significant comeback from 19-14 down in the second game, showing their tenacity even in defeat.
