PETALING JAYA: Several back-up men's doubles shuttlers including world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing could be split up if they don't raise their performances.
Aaron-Khai Xing, Fazriq Razif-Bryan Goonting and Mohd Faiq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan have struggled in lower tier competitions this year.
While Malaysia boast depth in the men's doubles with the likes of world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 8) and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (No. 20), the back-up pairs have not yet managed to replicate the success of their seniors.
Men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said that if the youngsters don't show improvement until the end of the year, he might split them up.
World No. 63 Aaron-Khai Xing, world No. 74 Fazriq-Bryan and Faiq-Hong Quan (No. 89) suffered early round defeats in all their World Tour Super 100 competitions this year.
Fazriq-Bryan and Faiq-Hong Quan captured the Sri Lanka International Series and Malaysian International Series titles respectively but have yet to step up in the higher tier Super 100 events.
The highly-rated Aaron-Khai Xing have also struggled since moving to the senior level after winning the world junior crown last year.
"I will review the back-up pairs' performances at the end of the year and decide if it's better to split them up and form new partnerships," said Herry.
"They have not been performing well so far. These are young players and will go through ups and downs. They need time to develop and gain maturity.
"I cannot just judge them based on a handful of competitions.
"I need to analyse their performances in training and tournaments before deciding if the existing partnerships are the best.
"I cannot afford to make hasty decisions. I cannot split them up if it turns out to be the wrong move," added Herry.
Aaron-Khai Xing, Fazriq-Bryan and Faiq-Hong Quan will get an opportunity to prove themselves when they compete next at home in the Malaysia Super 100 from Oct 14-19 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
