PETALING JAYA: The top two Malaysian men’s doubles pairs have been pitted against Japan’s two best combinations in the first round of the Asian Championships from April 8-13 in Ningbo, China.
In the draw released yesterday, world No. 2 and top seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will take on 2021 world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi while world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik face Japan’s second highest ranked duo Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura (No. 24).
To add to the intrigue, the Japanese pairs are coached by Malaysian Lee Wan Wah.
Wan Wah and Choong Tan Fook were the country’s top pair during their playing days and now the former will be out to dash Malaysia’s hopes in the tournament.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Aaron-Wooi Yik endured a miserable campaign in the All-England in Birmingham earlier this month, suffering early exits, and will be keen to avoid another poor showing in the Asian meet.
Both pairs can take heart after enjoying good outings in previous editions.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin finished runners-up to China’s Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang last year while Aaron-Wooi Yik came second to Indonesia’s Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan in 2022.
Based on the head-to-head records, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will need to up their game after losing thrice in four past meetings with Hoki-Kobayashi.
The pairs though last played each other in the 2022 Thailand Open and the independent duo have improved since then while the Japanese pair will be making their first appearance this year after resting since the China Masters last November.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be seeking their first win over world No. 14 Hoki-Kobayashi in an individual tournament as their only triumph against them so far was at the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals group stage.
If the Indian Open champions can overcome their first hurdle, they will most likely play Thailand’s Swiss Open champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren in the second round.
Meanwhile, Aaron-Wooi Yik have beaten Mitsuhashi-Okamura in all three of their past encounters and will be out to continue their good run against the latter.
Another victory will likely see the 2022 world champions play India’s A. Hariharan-R. Ruban Kumar next.
The other pairs in the fray for Malaysia in the men’s doubles are world No. 8 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and world No. 18 Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun will open their campaign against United Arab Emirates’ Dev Ayyappan-Dhiren Ayyappan while Singapore’s Wesley Koh-Junsuke Kubo stand in Roy King-Arif’s way.
