KUALA LUMPUR: Earlier this year, mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were identified by BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky as potential medal contenders at the Paris Olympics.
There is certainly some justification for this assertion, otherwise, the world No. 9 pair wouldn't be included in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme — an initiative by the Sports Ministry to provide the country's best athletes with optimal support in preparation for the Olympic Games in July.
However, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have not been demonstrating their credentials, as they were eliminated in the second round of the French Open yesterday (March 7).
They were defeated by China's world No. 4 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping 21-18, 21-14, exposing their inability to contend in top-tier tournaments.
After Tang Jie-Ee Wei reached the semifinals of the Arctic Open in Finland last October, they failed to secure notable results in the subsequent nine tournaments, rated Super 500 and above, including this week's event in Paris.
During this period, their only notable achievement was reaching the quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters in Japan.
While their runner-up finish at the Thailand Masters Super 300 was commendable, it's worth noting that the only pair ranked higher than them in that tournament were Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, whom they lost to in the final.
They have an opportunity to redeem themselves at the All England tournament next week, where they will face Dechapol and Sapsiree, the world No. 6, as early as the first round.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei have displayed on numerous occasions that they possess the skill to compete at the highest level, but their ability to maintain composure remains a concern.
Against Yan Zhe-Dong Ping, they showed promise in the early stages of both games, but their challenge eventually faltered.
They failed to capitalize on their lead twice, at 8-5 in the opening game and then at 10-5 in the second.
"We made too many mistakes, which led to our defeat," admitted Ee Wei.
"We need to show more patience and confidence."
Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were the sole survivors of the French Open after they beat Taiwanese twins Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen of Taiwan 21-16, 21-18 to advance to the quarter-finals.
Teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were outplayed 21-13, 21-12 by world No. 1 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India.