PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi have an opportunity to make their mark when they compete in the World Tour Super 300 Macau Open which starts today.
Roy King-Arif, who are currently ranked No. 24 in the world, have struggled for consistency this year and suffered first-round exits in the back-to-back Japan Open and China Open over the last two weeks after losing to world No. 7 teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun both times.
The pair’s best result this year is a semi-final finish in the Orleans Masters in March.
Roy King-Arif will be keen to do better in Macau where they are seeded fourth.
The duo though will face a stern challenge for the title from Indonesia’s world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza and India’s world No. 12 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, who are seeded first and second respectively.
Before that, the Malaysians have a tricky opening test against China’s Ren Xiangyu-Sun Wenjun.
Roy King-Arif’s best result so far in their careers is a runners-up finish in the Spain Masters which was also a Super 300 event last year.
Meanwhile, Malaysia have a total of 10 men’s doubles pairs in the tournament which enhances the chances of capturing the title in the event.
The others in the main draw are Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian, Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, Bryan Goonting-Fazriq Razif and Chia Weijie-Lwi Shenghao while Goh Boon Zhe-Wong Vin Sean and Lau Yi Sheng-Lim Tze Jian will start from the qualifying rounds.
In the men’s singles, Malaysia will be represented by Justin Hoh, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Cheam June Wei and Tan Jia Jie while Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa will be competing in the women’s singles.
The other Malaysians in the fray are Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee, Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Yi, Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu (women’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien, Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing, Loo Bing Kun-Pei Kee, Liew Xun-Ho Lo Ee and Wee Yee Hern-Chan Wen Tse.
