Playing on home soil is often seen as an advantage, but for Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, the 2026 Malaysia Open ended in frustration despite promising signs early in the tournament.
The national mixed doubles pair exited in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought three-game defeat to Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet at the Axiata Arena. While the match lasted 67 minutes2 and showed flashes of their quality, head coach Nova Widianto believes several key issues ultimately derailed their campaign.
According to Nova, the biggest problem was not physical readiness or tactical preparation, but focus — particularly in the service and receiving phases. From the start of the deciding third game, the pair struggled to stay sharp, giving away easy points through unforced errors.
These lapses allowed their opponents to capitalise quickly, often winning points within the first few strokes. At the top level, such margins are costly, especially against experienced pairs who punish even the smallest drop in concentration.
Service and receiving, two of the most critical aspects in modern doubles badminton, became a weakness at the worst possible time. Nova noted that Chen and Toh appeared unprepared during these exchanges, which disrupted their rhythm and handed momentum to the Hong Kong pair.
Once control was lost in these areas, it became difficult for the Malaysians to dictate rallies or apply sustained pressure.
Despite the disappointment, Nova acknowledged improvements in the pair’s overall stability since winning the world title. They are now more reliable in the early rounds and rarely suffer shock exits in the first or second round.
However, true consistency at the elite level means regularly reaching the semi-finals or finals — especially when seeded among the top contenders. Falling in the quarter-finals remains a hurdle they must overcome if they are to establish themselves as a dominant force on the world tour.
Competing in front of a home crowd can be both motivating and demanding. While there was no direct mention of nerves, the inability to maintain focus suggests that expectations and pressure may have played a role, particularly in tight moments of the match.
Handling these situations is part of the growth process for top-level pairs aiming for long-term success.
With little time to dwell on the setback, attention now shifts to the Indian Open from Jan 13 to 18. Nova has urged the pair to quickly forget the home disappointment and reset mentally, warning that carrying negative emotions forward could affect future performances.
The draw in India is expected to be similar, providing Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei with a chance to respond immediately and prove their resilience.
While the Malaysia Open exit was below expectations, it also highlighted areas that can be improved. Focus, consistency, and execution under pressure remain the key lessons from this defeat.
For Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, the challenge now is simple: learn quickly, reset mentally, and turn a painful home loss into fuel for stronger performances in the tournaments ahead.
