KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were in fiery form to ensure the hosts celebrate a grand double by storming into the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open at the Axiata Arena yesterday.
World No. 5 Tang Jie-Ee Wei dazzled against world No. 14 Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan as they secured a 21-11, 21-18 victory in 36 minutes to join compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai in the semi-finals.
Tang Jie was pleased to reach the semi-finals and has vowed to give their best against Yan Zhe-Dong Ping tomorrow.
"It is a great achievement to enter our first semi-final at the Malaysia Open, " said Tang Jie.
"Yan Zhe-Dong Ping are very consistent and strong pair we will battle against them as well as we can."
Earlier in the day, world No. 6 Soon Huat-Shevon were also in their element as they overcame world No. 11 Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi of China 21-15, 22-20 to secure their last four ticket.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were on fire from the beginning and gave Midorikawa-Saito no chance of a fightback.
Having beaten the Japanese pair in the World Tour Finals group stage in Hangzhou last month, Tang Jie-Ee Wei stayed true to their form
The victory also improved Tang Jie-Ee Wei's head-to-head record against Midorikawa-Saito to 4-2.
Most importantly, it has boosted their confidence for the last four clash against Chinese top seeds Yan Zhe-Dong Ping, who beat Taiwan's Yang Po Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang 21-19, 21-14 in the last eight.
Despite trailing 4-2 in their head-to-head record against Yan Zhe-Dong Ping, the fired-up Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be banking on support from Malaysian fans as they bid to become the first pair since Chen Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in 2016 to reach the mixed doubles final of the Malaysia Open.
Tang Jie said he was delighted to reach the semi-finals and vowed to give China's Yan Zhe-Dong Ping a hard time.
"It's a great achievement to enter our first semi-final at the Malaysia Open, " said Tang Jie.
"Yan Zhe-Dong Ping are a very consistent and strong pair, but we are ready to battle them."