PETALING JAYA: Despite the tough challenge ahead, national men’s doubles duo Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing are eager to face India’s top pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, in next week’s All-England opener.
The world No. 34 will be making their debut at the Super 1000 tournament in Birmingham from March 3-8, and have been drawn to start their campaign against the Indian fourth seeds. A win would be a huge confidence booster for the youngsters.
“We can’t guarantee a win, but we promise we will fight. We want to know where we stand against the top 10 players,” said Khai Xing.
The 2024 world junior champions Aaron-Khai Xing will be joined by seven other Malaysian pairs in the draw in Birmingham, including eighth seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, whom they could meet in the quarter-finals if they get to that stage.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s top pair and second seed Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will start their campaign against Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith of the United States.
Aaron-Wooi Yik could meet compatriots Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi in the second round, provided the world No. 18 can defeat Danes Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard first.
Sixth seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun may meet fellow compatriots Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub in the second round if both clear their first-round hurdles – Taiwan’s Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen and Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Wang Chi-lin – respectively.
World No. 33 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will start their run against fifth seed Indonesians Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri, while Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri face Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
