Tien Ci–Chiew Sien make timely breakthrough at China Open
The world No. 34 independent pair battled back from a game down to beat world No. 33 India's Rohan Kapoor–Ruthivika Shiani Gadde 25–27, 21–16, 21–14 in 64 minutes at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou.
The result marked only their fourth win in 13 outings this year, making it a much-needed breakthrough for a partnership trying to rediscover their rhythm.
Tien Ci–Chiew Sien had previously cleared only the first round at the German Open, Swiss Open and Malaysia Masters.
What makes this win even more significant is the setting.
The China Open, offering a US$2 million prize purse, is the richest tournament on the calendar outside of the season-ending World Tour Finals — and with it, brings bountiful rewards in both prize money and world ranking points.
Tien Ci–Chiew Sien's progression to the last 16 guarantees them US$6,500 (RM27,500), more than triple the US$2,000 (RM8,470) they would have received had they bowed out in the first round.
To illustrate the significance, a semi-final finish at a Super 500 tournament — such as the Malaysia Masters — offers US$6,650.
From a rankings standpoint, the pair will lock in 5,400 points, just 550 points shy of what is awarded to runners-up at a Super 300 event.
It's a timely boost as they aim to break back into the world's top 32 after slipping out of that bracket in late April.
Tien Ci–Chiew Sien will next face a daunting test against Chinese top seeds Feng Yan Zhe–Huang Dong Ping, but their gutsy win today has already paid dividends.
Meanwhile, national pair Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei ensured Malaysia had another representative in the second round after cruising past American duo Presley Smith–Jennie Gai 22–20, 21–12 in 35 minutes.
It was Tang Jie–Ee Wei's second win over the world No. 29 pair this season, having also beaten them in straight games at the Singapore Open in May.
The world No. 4 are riding a strong wave of form, having made back-to-back semi-finals at the Indonesia Open and Japan Open.
They are out to improve on last year's campaign in Changzhou, where they exited in the last 16 despite having reached the semi-finals in 2023.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were initially in line for an all-Malaysian second-round clash, but that prospect was dashed after Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin fell 21–19, 21–17 to Chinese youngsters Gao Jia Xuan–Wu Meng Ying in the opening round.
The defeat continued a frustrating run for Pang Ron–Su Yin, who were quarter-finalists at the same tournament last year but have struggled for consistency this season.
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