Newly crowned mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei began their China Masters campaign in style with a commanding victory over the United States’ Chen Zhi Yi and Francesca Corbett.
The Malaysian pair, ranked world No. 3, needed only 30 minutes to secure a 21-12, 21-14 win and advance to the second round of the World Tour Super 750 tournament in Shenzhen.
Chen and Toh, who withdrew from last week’s Hong Kong Open after a hectic schedule following their World Championship triumph in Paris, will next face Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah and Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu. The Indonesians progressed after defeating Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito.
Despite their success on the world stage, Chen and Toh are still chasing their first BWF World Tour title of the season. Their last Tour victory came at the Korea Open last year, with the World Championships not counted as part of the BWF World Tour series.
Meanwhile, fellow Malaysians Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie also advanced to the last 16 with an opening-round win. Men’s doubles duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani booked their place in the second round as well.
Malaysian players are competing across most events at the China Masters today, except for the women’s singles category.
