KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are just one win away from clinching their third World Tour title after advancing to the final of the Thailand Masters today.
The third time proved to be the charm for Tang Jie-Ee Wei as they ended a two-match winless streak against Japan's Hikori Midorikawa-Natsu Saito, winning convincingly 21-11, 21-17 at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Standing between Tang Jie-Ee Wei and a morale-boosting victory are home favourites Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
The former world champions secured their spot in the final by defeating Indonesia's Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati 21-17, 21-14.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei face a tall order against the formidable Dechapol-Sapsiree, who will be eager to finally end their wait for the Thailand Masters crown.
Although they have previously won the Thailand Open, they have yet to clinch the Thailand Masters title.
Dechapol-Sapsiree came closest to victory by finishing as runners-up twice, including a loss to Malaysia's Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying in 2019.
As for Tang Jie-Ee Wei, a title is precisely the tonic they need after struggling to impress of late.
Since the beginning of the year, they have failed to advance past the last 16 in the three tournaments before this week.
However, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will need to bring more than their A-game if they are to beat Dechapol-Sapsiree as they have been unsuccessful in their last three meetings, most recently at the India Open, which the latter went on to win.
But Tang Jie-Ee Wei have a 100% record in the finals to date, winning both of their previous appearances at the Orleans Masters and Taiwan Open last year.