Uber Cup: Xin Yee Must Exercise Patience, Control Emotions When Partnering Thinaah - Rexy

HORSENS (Denmark), April 28 (Bernama) -- National Doubles Coaching Director Rexy Mainaky wants young national women's doubles player Ong Xin Yee to exercise more patience when playing alongside the experienced team captain M. Thinaah at the 2026 Uber Cup Finals here.

After observing their two Group B performances, Rexy noted that the 19-year-old also needs to manage her emotions while competing at the Horsens Forum with Thinaah.

"A player partnered with Thinaah will certainly have respect for her. Xin Yee definitely needs to learn how to play with high-level athletes. There is no need to rush to finish points; she needs to be more patient and less emotional," he said when met here.

Yesterday, Xin Yee-Thinaah lost 9-21, 9-21 to the world number 6 pair, Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto, in their second match against Japan and Japan, six-time champions, topped Group B after defeating Malaysia 4-1, leaving the national team to finish as group runner-up.

Xin Yee-Thinaah also suffered a narrow 22-20, 19-21, 19-21 defeat to Turkiye's Bengisu Ercetin-Nazlican Inci in their opening Group B match last Saturday but Malaysia managed a slim 3-2 victory over Turkiye.

Malaysia subsequently secured a quarter-final berth for the first time in 16 years after sweeping aside South Africa 5-0 last Sunday.

In a related development, Rexy expressed admiration for the positive impact shown by young doubles pair Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, who were the only representatives to contribute a point in the match against Japan.

Zi Yu-Noraqilah, ranked 143rd, pulled off a stunning 21-17, 12-21, 21-19 upset against world number seven pair Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi in the fourth match.

Rexy said Zi Yu-Noraqilah proved they could shine for the national squad, which is competing without key player Pearly Tan - Thinaah's regular partner - after she withdrew from the prestigious tournament due to a recent back injury.

"Young players like Zi Yu and Noraqilah were not affected by the absence of more experienced players. They were able to contribute a point, which is a positive result. Credit must be given to them," he said.

Last Saturday, Zi Yu-Noraqilah hogged the spotlight by saving Malaysia’s blushes, securing the winning point against Turkiye after overcoming Yasemen Bektas-Zehra Erdem 21-18, 21-19.

The 2026 Uber Cup Finals, which began on April 24, will run until May 3.

--BERNAMA