Paris 2024: Singapore shuttlers Tan Jie-Ee Wei beat Singapore for first point

PARIS (July 27): National mixed doubles pair Chen Tan Jie-Toh Ee Wei kicked off the country’s run to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in badminton by beating Singapore’s Terry Hee Yong Kai-Jessica Tan Wei Han today.

Ranked number nine in the world, the duo overcame a slow start to claim a 23-21, 21-12 victory for the opening point of the Group D match at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.

Tan Jie-Ee Wei will face Vinson Chiu-Jennie Gai of the United States tomorrow, before concluding the round-robin against reigning Asian champions Feng Yang Zhe-Huang Dong Ping of China on Monday.

Earlier, world number two Feng Yang Zhe-Huang Dong Ping beat the Americans 21-11, 21-14.

Only the top two pairs from the group stage advance to the quarter-finals.

Talk to Bernama After the match, Tan Jie-Ee Wei, who was making his Olympic debut, said he was shocked to see a packed arena with around 8,000 spectators on the first day, as there are usually fewer crowds at other tournaments, including this year’s French Open which is being held at the same arena.

“I was shocked to see a big crowd, but it brought excitement and a positive spirit for the fight. At the beginning, my body was still stiff, but we managed to overcome the nervousness at the beginning.

“We were only focused on how to score points and were not concerned about what was happening. Our aim was to focus point by point. However, we rushed to finish the game and that gave our opponents the space they needed to reduce the gap.

“Finally, we trusted each other and really discussed the strategies to win. We are excited and happy to have made a good start, but we are still at the beginning of the group stage, anything can happen, we have to be ready,” Tan Jie said.

Meanwhile, Ee Wei said they will discuss the approach to the match against the American players later as they do not want to put too much pressure on their minds. – Bernama