Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri in action against Brunei’s Marhanif Ali-Haziq Roze in the group match of Asia Team Championships at Setia Alam Convention Centre on Tuesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri could be rewarded with a spot as reserves in the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu from April 27-May 5 following their steady progress.
Hon Jian-Haikal, who were only combined last August, have stayed consistent after capturing back-to-back titles in the Syed Modi International and Indian Masters at the end of last year.
The pair are now set to move up from No. 32 to No. 29 in the latest rankings after winning their third title at the Orleans Masters and reaching the quarter-finals of the Swiss Open recently.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has not ruled the youngsters out from selection for the Thomas Cup.
Rexy has already shown that he will not hesitate to reward rising talents after including Hon Jian-Haikal in the Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam in February.
“Hon Jian-Haikal will be considered for selection for the Thomas Cup,” said Rexy.
“They still have room to improve especially from the physical aspect if they want to do well in World Tour Super 500 and above tournaments,” said Rexy.
“Moving forward, we will send them for Super 750 and 1000 tournaments if they make the cut.”
Malaysia may name four singles and three men’s pairs or they also have an option of choosing five singles and five doubles players.
World No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are as good as assured as the first pair but others vying for spots are world No. 12 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 18) and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 19).
Rexy faces a headache to choose the team as Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Sze Fei-Izzuddin are all struggling with consistency.
He is set to name the team by the end of this week.
Malaysia have been drawn with Denmark, Hong Kong and minnows Algeria in Group D in the tournament.
