KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's challenge in the Japan Open mixed doubles competition ended on Friday as both Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
World No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei fell 21-16, 21-18 to world No. 4 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin of China.
It was Tang Jie-Ee Wei's second loss in three encounters against the Chinese pair.
The rivalry between these pairs began last year when they faced off twice.
The Malaysians clinched victory in their first meeting, en route to winning the Orleans Masters title in April.
However, six months later in Finland, Zhen Bang-Ya Xin evened the score by triumphing in the semi-finals of the Arctic Open.
Looking ahead, Tang Jie-Ee Wei can anticipate a long-term rivalry with Zhen Bang-Ya Xin in the new four-year Olympic cycle leading to the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The Chinese pair appears set to continue their country's legacy in mixed doubles.
Zhen Bang-Ya Xin, who teamed up in 2022, have shown remarkable promise, already securing seven titles, including this year's Asian Championships.
In the other quarter-final match, world No. 15 Kian Meng-Pei Jing's hopes of reaching their third consecutive semi-final in as many World Tour starts were dashed as they succumbed to Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.
The Malaysian duo lost 21-18, 23-25, 21-9 after squandering two match points at 22-21 and 23-22 in the second game.
Despite the loss, Kian Meng-Pei Jing deserve credit for staging a remarkable comeback from 19-14 down in the second game.