PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (pic) made it a great day for Malaysia in the All-England after toppling Thailand’s 2021 world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai to reach the second round.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei had twice lost to the world No. 6 Thais this year in the second round of the Indian Open and final of the Thailand Masters in January but showed great fighting spirit to come out on top, winning 21-14, 12-21, 21-15 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham yesterday.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei were thrilled after beating Dechapol-Sapsiree for only the second time in their past seven meetings.

“We lost to them many times before but we kept motivating each other and believing in ourselves,” Ee Wei told the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after the win.

“It’s always tough to play against them and they have been in good form this year, so we are happy that we managed to get this victory.”

It was world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s first victory over a higher ranked pair this year.

The duo will next face either Holland’s Robin Tabeling-Selena Piek or Denmark’s Mathias Thyrri-Amalie Magelund in the second round.