PETALING JAYA: The fight to play in the Thomas Cup Finals will begin with the Malaysian Open for the national men’s doubles players.
Malaysia will be banking on Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to shine in the home tournament starting on Tuesday at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Only three pairs will be selected for the Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu, China.
For now, it looks like world No. 4 Aaron-Wooi Yik are guaranteed for the spot while the battle is on for the rest to make the selection.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin are the latecomers into the ring, having made a comeback only recently after a break up to stake their claim.
National doubles coach Tan Bin Shen is keeping the options open.
“We have four months before the Finals. We are starting with the Malaysian Open, and there are a few upcoming Opens in Asia and also Europe meets in March. We will choose players based on their results and consistency,” said Bin Shen.
“We have time but these players must know that the key is to stay consistent.”
Kai Wun is eager to make his Finals debut. At the last edition in Bangkok in 2022, Kai Wun-Wei Chong did not make the cut due to their inexperience.
“Our goal is to do well in the Malaysian Open and fight for a spot in the Thomas Cup Finals’ squad,” said Kai Wun.
Kai Wun-Wei Chong have a enormous task in the first round of the Malaysian Open as they will face top seeds Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang of China. If they win, it will be one of their biggest career wins.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Yew Sin-Ee Yi also have tough openers as they will face Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren of Thailand and Lu Ching-yao-Yang Po-han of Taiwan respectively.
Third seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik should get past Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard to clear their first round.
Hope is high on the doubles to end Malaysia’s 10-year drought as the last Malaysian winners were Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2014.
