On a roll: Korea’s Kim Won-Ho-Seo Seung-jae have been the best pair in the World Tour so far.
PETALING JAYA: Former great Datuk Razif Sidek believes that South Korea’s in-form men’s doubles shuttlers Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho are not invincible.
The Koreans, who only combined at the start of this year, have been the best pair in the World Tour so far and have emerged as a huge threat to Malaysia’s hopes of ending the 18-year wait for a men’s doubles title in the All-England from March 11-16 in Birmingham.
According to the draw released on Tuesday, world No. 2 independent duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will likely have to face Malaysian Open and German Open champions Seung-jae-Won-ho as early as the second round.
Based on form and ranking, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are the country’s best bet to capture the prestigious crown but need to get past the Koreans first to keep their chances alive.
The Malaysians have beaten Seung-jae-Won-ho once when they triumphed in the Indian Open in January and Razif feels that they have what it takes to come out on top again.
“The Koreans look strong but they can still be beaten if you get your strategy right against them,” said Razif.
“Sze Fei-Izzuddin have beaten them before and with this experience, they should know what to do and continue their form.
“Each tournament though has different environment and pressure. All-England is a higher tier event and it depends if they can compose themselves and bring the same type of performance. Hopefully, their preparations have also been good.”
Before the possible clash against Seung-jae-Won-ho, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will play another Korean combo, veterans Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang in their opening match.
Seung-jae-Won-ho on the other hand have a tricky first round tie against Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will also be represented in the men’s doubles by world No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (No. 18), Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub (No. 26) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 30).
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who finished runners-up in the tourney in 2019 and 2024, will open their campaign against Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard while Indonesian Masters winners Wei Chong-Kai Wun have a difficult task against China’s world No. 6 He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu.
Roy King-Arif will also play a Chinese combination Huang Di-Liu Yang while Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju stand in the way of Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi will take on England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy for a place in the second round.
