Malaysia’s mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei continued their strong run at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC), advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time after a convincing straight-games victory over India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto.
The Malaysian pair needed just 37 minutes to secure a 21-13, 21-14 win, showcasing control and composure throughout the match. The result marks a key milestone in their campaign in Ningbo as they continue to build momentum in a highly competitive draw.
Their path forward has also become more open following the withdrawal of China’s world No. 2 pair Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin, who were projected to meet the Malaysians in the semi-finals. The development has eased one of the toughest potential hurdles in their section of the draw.
However, Toh Ee Wei stressed that the pair are not allowing the situation to change their mindset, pointing out that competition levels at the BAC remain extremely high regardless of rankings or draw changes. The focus, she said, remains on taking each match as it comes.
The Malaysian duo are also managing their own challenges. Ee Wei is still recovering from an abdominal strain picked up weeks earlier, while Chen Tang Jie has been adjusting to the faster shuttle conditions at the venue. He admitted that his early rhythm in the match was not ideal, noting that he struggled to adapt in the opening phase before settling into his game.
With Malaysia’s other mixed doubles pairs already eliminated, Tang Jie and Ee Wei now carry the nation’s remaining hopes in the category.
Their next test comes in the quarter-finals against South Korea’s Kim Jae Hyeon and Jang Ha Jeong. Despite their lower ranking, the Korean pair have already caused an upset by defeating Indonesia’s world No. 10 duo, underlining the danger they still pose.
As the tournament progresses, the Malaysian world champions will need to maintain focus and consistency if they are to convert their promising position into a maiden Badminton Asia Championships semi-final appearance.
