PETALING JAYA: The Asian Championships in Ningbo, China from April 7 to 12 will serve as a warm up for the national players ahead of the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, with Malaysia's doubles players in a strong position to clear the opening round.
In the men's doubles, Malaysia will be represented by Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and professional pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Second seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik will face Taiwan's Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Wang Chi-lin in the opening round. Wei Chong-Kai Wun will face qualifiers from Group B.
Arif-Roy King will take on another Taiwanese pair, Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen, in a chance to avenge their defeat at the German Open in Feb. Sze Fei-Izzuddin will begin their campaign against Thailand's Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn-Worrapol Thongsa-nga.
In the women's doubles, second seeds Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will face Hong Kong's Fan Ka Yan-Yau Mau Ying while Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting will take on India's Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand Pullela.
Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng and Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan will make their debuts in the tournament but must first compete in the qualifying rounds. Jie Yu-Vanessa, drawn in Group B, will face Isuuri Attanayake-Sithumi De Silva and Pham Thi Dieu Ly-Pham Thi Khanh for a place in the main draw.
Zi Yu-Noraqilah, in Group D, will take on Phattarin Aiamvareesrisakul-Sarisa Janpeng and Ng Wen Chi-Pui Chi Wa.
In the mixed doubles, fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will face China's Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi. Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie will take on India's Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Gadde while Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien will meet Ashith Surya-Amrutha Pramuthesh.
Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin await their opponents from the Group D qualifying rounds.
