Rexy alarmed over lack of depth in mixed doubles

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no one knocking on Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s door, and that, according to national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky, is becoming a problem.

The world No. 4 pair crashed out 21-18, 21-16 to China’s new combination of Gao Jia Xuan-Wei Ya Xin in 44 minutes in the Malaysia Masters quarter-finals at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil on Friday.

Rexy said the absence of a credible second-tier pair behind the reigning mixed doubles world champions was a structural issue he and mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto have to confront.

The likes of Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Hui are thinning out further after Pang Ron’s exit from the national setup.

“It’s not about the gap, we don’t see the backup. We see Tang Jie-Ee Wei, and after that, below this, it’s empty,” he said.

“Right now we see Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan playing two events, and below that we still have Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Clarissa Tan. So if we look at the gap, this missing middle is the issue.

“This is homework in mixed doubles, not just for coach Nova. For myself too, this is homework on how we can manage that empty gap in the middle between Tang Jie-Ee Wei and the rest.”

Rexy added that the consequence of a shallow second tier was already showing on court, with Tang Jie-Ee Wei lacking the internal pressure to sharpen their game between tournaments.

The Bukit Jalil exit also shone a harsh light on Tang Jie’s own form, with Rexy delivering a blunt assessment of the 28-year-old’s performance.

He said the disparity between the two halves of the pair was stark, with Ee Wei the only one holding up her end of the partnership.

“Ee Wei played at, I would say, 90 per cent of her performance level last night. Only Tang Jie was lacking,” he said.

“It was as if Tang Jie entered the court fresh, with speed and power, but his brain froze. There were three shots in the first game where the shuttle was already with Ee Wei, but he still wanted to go in.”

Rexy contrasted the display with Tang Jie’s usual fighting character, stressing that the player must take ownership of the problem rather than wait for the coaching staff to flag it.

“Normally, if he plays badly, he will shout, he will try to break out, and even if he eventually loses, he shows he wants to fight. But last night, you could see it in his eyes. Empty,” he said.

“We shouted at him too, but there was no response. So I feel this comes back to Tang Jie’s level. He has to realise all this himself. Don’t rely on others to tell you.”

The defeat compounds a difficult run of form for the world No. 4 pair, who also exited the All England early in March.

The mixed doubles setback came amid a wider Malaysian struggle on home soil, with the absence of world No. 2 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah further undermined the national challenge.

Pearly withdrew from the Malaysia Masters at the last minute due to concerns over a back injury sustained at the Badminton Asia Championships, which had also ruled her out of the Uber Cup.

Without the country’s top women’s doubles pair, Malaysia’s challenge ended in the first round with Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng, Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan and Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Hui all exiting in the first round.

Rexy, however, confirmed that the women’s doubles pair are on track to return to action at the Singapore Open next week.

“Confirmed playing, playing,” he said when asked about Pearly-Thinaah’s availability for the Super 750 event.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times