After disappointing exit, world champs told to show more 'high standard'

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Nova Widianto believes it is time for Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to meet the standards expected of a top-four pair, after their Malaysia Open campaign ended in the quarter-finals on Friday.

As they are the reigning world champions and world No. 4, Nova said expectations of them have naturally shifted.

While winning titles every week is unrealistic, consistent appearances at the semi-final stage should now be the minimum benchmark.

"We are not talking about becoming champions every time," said Nova.

"But to be a top pair, you must be able to reach the semi-finals or final back-to-back, regularly."

While acknowledging that Tang Jie-Ee Wei have largely avoided early-round exits, Nova stressed that quarter-final losses should no longer be acceptable at their level.

"If you are seeded third or fourth, then at least you should reach that stage," he said.

"Losing in the quarter-finals, actually, should not happen anymore."

Reflecting on the 21-17, 17-21, 21-10 defeat to Hong Kong's Asian champions Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, Nova admitted the loss was frustrating because the Malaysians had already read their opponents' approach.

"We already predicted they would slow the tempo," he said. "We saw it from the last match in France."

However, poor execution — particularly on service receive — proved decisive in the third game.

"From the start until the end of the deciding game, they were not ready on service receive," Nova said.

"From the first three shots, Hong Kong could already take points."

Nova ruled out physical issues, stressing that focus, not fitness, was the problem.

"Physically, Tang Jie-Ee Wei should not be at disadvantage because they are younger," he said.

What troubled him most was how lapses came in clusters.

"Sometimes we already saw the game plan," he said. "But suddenly we lost four or five points again. That made it difficult."

With the India Open coming up next week, Nova urged his players to reset quickly and move on.

"We did have our target here (to win). "But if we didn't get them, we must forget this result and focus on India. If we keep thinking about this loss, it can affect the next tournament."

That said, the Malaysia Open setback should not overshadow what has been a largely consistent run for Tang Jie-Ee Wei in the second half of last season.

In their last 11 appearances across all competitions, they exited the quarter-final stage only twice — including Friday's defeat.

During that stretch, they captured two titles, notably the World Championships and Australian Open, finished runners-up at the China Masters, and reached the semi-finals on six other occasions.

The only notable disappointment in that run came at the SEA Games, where they failed to clinch gold despite entering as strong favourites.