Indonesia Masters: Hong Kong’s Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet back to winning ways in Jakarta
- Duo renew their successful partnership to breeze into second round with straight-games victory over Dutch pair
- Tokyo Olympics semi-finalists are playing only their second tournament together of 2022, as coach wants to give veteran Tse more rest
Hong Kong mixed doubles pair Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet got their Indonesia Masters campaign off to the perfect start on Tuesday, after cruising to a 2-0 victory in Jakarta.
Playing only their second tournament of the year, the duo made quick work of their opening-round encounter, trouncing Dutch opponents Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek in straight games 21-9, 21-16.
Tang and Tse enjoyed a successful stint in 2021 when they finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics before reaching the semi-finals at both the World Championships and the World Tour Finals.
However, head coach Tim He Yiming wanted to give veteran Tse – now 30 – more rest before the Hangzhou Asian Games, which was set for September only to be postponed.
Accordingly, Tang and Tse had only previously played together once this year, at April’s Asia Championships, where they suffered an unexpected first-round exit.
“This is a good start as they needed a strong result to pick up some confidence after a disappointing Asia Championships,” said He.
“On paper, judging from the result, it was not too difficult for them, but the pair still needed to put up a strong effort, and their experience and exposure at the top level helped. Also, they did quite well with their serves, and receiving serves, to put the game under their control.”
Tang and Tse will now take on young Malaysian pair Hoo Pang Ron and Toh Ee Wei, who beat another Hong Kong combination in Chang Tak-shing and Ng Wing-yung, 21-19, 21-13.
