KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have a clearer path to the semi-finals of the World Tour Finals (WTF) following a favourable draw today.
The Malaysian duo had been concerned about the possibility of facing China's Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin and Olympic champions Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong in the group stage.
However, the two Chinese combinations have been placed in Group A, boosting Tang Jie-Ee Wei's chances in Hangzhou next week.
Group A will feature the Chinese pairs alongside Hong Kong's fourth seeds Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet and Taiwan's Yang Poh Hsuan-Hu Ling Fang.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, seeded third, are in Group B with compatriots Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, the second seeds, as well as Indonesia's Dejan Ferdinansyah-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja and Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
Their coach, Nova Widianto, hopes Tang Jie-Ee Wei will seize the opportunity to reach the semi-finals.
"Group B looks open, as Tang Jie-Ee Wei's head-to-head records against Dejan-Gloria and the Japanese pair are close.
"However, they should be relieved they won't face the Chinese pairs early," said Nova.
Nova said it is unfortunate that both Malaysian pairs ended up in the same group, but he sees a potential silver lining.
"It's not an ideal situation, but it might be a blessing in disguise. Both Tang Jie-Ee Wei and Soon Huat-Shevon have a good opportunity to reach the semi-finals, and I hope they can make the most of it."