KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky hopes Cheng Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei can make it to the business end of the mixed doubles event at the Paris Olympics.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei topped Group D after coming from behind to secure an upset 17-21, 21-15, 21-16 win over second seeds Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping of China at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena on Monday.
The statement win shows the world No. 9 has the potential to win a medal on their Olympic debut.
Rexy said a favourable draw in the knockout stage would no doubt help their cause in Paris.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be placed at the bottom half of the draw.
"I hope they will avoid the top pairs when a fresh draw is conducted in the knockout stage, especially the quarter-finals.
"A favourable draw will help them go far here," Rexy told Timesport on Monday.
Rexy said Tang Jie-Ee Wei did a great job recovering after losing the same game to the Chinese pair.
"After losing the first game, Tang Jie-Ee Wei managed to bring out their usual game, just like what they worked on in training," added Rexy.
"It helped them overcome their nervousness and were able to win."
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had lost their last two encounters against the world No. 2 pair.