2 days Ago By K. M. Boopathy
KUALA LUMPUR: Top seeds Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were left reeling from a shock second-round exit at the Orleans Open on Thursday — a result that stunned badminton fans and their coach Nova Widianto.However, the Indonesian coach has vowed to get them back on track for their crucial All England challenge in Birmingham next week.World No.
4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei crumbled under pressure, falling 21-8, 21-17 against Indonesia's newly formed duo Rehan Kusharjanto-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja in just 33 minutes.Despite concerns over Tang Jie's strapped left knee, Nova dismissed injury fears, insisting their defeat was purely due to unforced errors.Coincidentally, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face world No.
173 Rehan-Gloria in the All England first round, setting the stage for a grudge match.Nova, whose visa delays due to a contract renewal kept him out of Europe, will be in Birmingham next week to guide the Malaysian pair, who are the second seeds in the All England."Tang Jie has fully recovered from his knee injury, and it had nothing to do with their defeat.
They just made too many mistakes," Nova said."The All England is a crucial tournament, and I want them to bounce back by getting revenge over Rehan-Gloria in Birmingham."I've told them not to lose heart after Orleans — what matters is regaining their form next week.
"Rehan-Gloria will be playing their third straight tournament, while Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be fresher and physically stronger. This gives us the edge."National coaching director Rexy Mainaky, who is in Orleans, acknowledged their poor performance.
"Their condition was fine, but they just didn't play well, especially in the first game," Rexy said.Meanwhile, Malaysian badminton still has a shot at revenge, as world No. 14 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin will face Rehan-Gloria in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Sixth seeds Pang Ron-Su Yin overcame Taiwan's world No. 43 Lu Ming Cheh-Hung En Tzu 16-21, 21-13, 21-16 in 49 minutes to book their place in the last eight.Rehan-Gloria, meanwhile, started their European Tour in style, finishing runners-up at the German Open last week.
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