Nova wants titles from mixed pairs [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Nova Widianto has raised the bar for his mixed doubles charges after seeing the success of the men's pairs.
He wants them to push for World Tour titles at the Japan (July 15-20) and the China (July 22-27) Opens.
Men's doubles world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun won three of the last four World Tour events.
An optimistic Nova said world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, in particular, need to rise to the occasion at the Japan Open and China Opens ahead of the World Championships in Paris on Aug 25-31.
"The success of the men's doubles on the World Tour has given us the motivation and I want the mixed doubles to also win a title, if not two, at the Japan and China Opens," said Nova today.
"The men's and women's doubles have been showing progress on the World Tour but Tang Jie-Ee Wei are yet to return to their best form.
"Their communication is very good now and I just need to work on other aspects of their game in the next two weeks. If they can win a title before the World Championships, it will boost their confidence before Paris."
Nova feels that other pairs had dominated the world mixed doubles scene like 2024 Olympics champions Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong of China, but their retirement in December has left the field open.
"Although Tang Jie-Ee Wei have not reached their maximum potential, they always have the chance to win titles because currently, no pair is as good as Si Wei-Ya Qiong. Even current China pairs are not as good as them," added Nova.
"This always leaves the field open and the combination who are the strongest mentally during a tournament, can win.
"This is what our pairs must take advantage of and push for titles in Japan and China. Tang Jie-Ee Wei have yet to win a Super 750 or a Super 1000 title and this is the chance for them to aim for victories."
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