By Patrick Johnston
Terry Hee and Jessica Tan signed off their debut Olympic campaign in style as they claimed a 21-17, 21-12 victory over American duo Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai in the mixed doubles.
The reigning Commonwealth Games champions combined superbly at Porte de la Chapelle Arena on Monday; Tan defending well at the front of the court with the variety of Hee’s smashes leaving the Americans bamboozled.
Two opening defeats in Group D of the mixed doubles, against the world number two Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping and the Malaysian duo Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, the world number nines, meant the knockout stages were beyond Hee and Tan.
However, ending their Olympics on a winning note was important for the husband-and-wife duo, who first started playing together in 2014.
“Today we were more relaxed, it's the last game. We tried to just enjoy it, and I think we played better than the first two,” Hee told reporters. “I’m quite happy with the performance today.”
“Being here is huge and the feeling is very different from any other tournament. Hopefully we will have a second Olympics.”
The duo certainly presented a more relaxed demeanour on Monday, dominating the centre of the court as they were able to control the rallies and confuse the Americans with deft shot selection.
Hee and Tan married in 2021, winning the Czech Open shortly after. Landing the Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham, England, two years ago was a particular highlight for the pair, who sit 17th in the world rankings.
They were handed a tough draw in Paris, with only the top two pairings from the group qualifying for the quarterfinals.
“I think it’s very important to take the positives away from this whole experience,” Tan said. “Getting here to the Olympic Games is already really massive and a huge achievement for us. We shouldn't let two defeats in our group stage take away the pride we have in representing Singapore.”
Singapore interest in the Olympic badminton will continue on Tuesday with Yeo Jia Min taking part in the women’s singles. Jia Min faces Kate Foo Kune of Mauritius, knowing a second Group I victory will book a place in the last 16 knockouts.
In the men’s singles, 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew returns to the court on Wednesday to play El Salvador’s Uriel Francisco Canjura Artiga, also eyeing a second group win to advance to the next stage.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place in Paris, France from 26 July to 11 August 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.