PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s seeded players have one less hurdle to clear after receiving first-round byes for the World Championships in New Delhi from Aug 17-23.
Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, last year’s runners-up, have been seeded fifth for this year’s edition.
Former men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik return as the fourth seeds, while former world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are seeded sixth.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have been named the 11th seeds, while husband-and-wife pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are seeded 10th.
The rest of the Malaysian contingent, however, face trickier opening-round assignments.
Men’s singles shuttler Justin Hoh will begin his World Championships debut against reigning All-England champion Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan.
Justin is currently stepping up his preparations for the World Championships, regardless of who he faces in New Delhi.
“The World Championships are just around the corner, so all I can do is prepare as best as I can.
“I’ve had plenty of discussions with the coaching team on how to improve my game, and I hope I can produce a good result at the World Championships,” said Justin.
Leong Jun Hao, meanwhile, takes on Brazil’s world No. 61 Jonathan Matias.
In the women’s singles, Wong Ling Ching will also make her World Championships debut against Peru’s world No. 158 Namie Miyahira, while K. Letshanaa opens her campaign against Uganda’s Fadilah Shamika Rafi.
After enduring three disappointing tournaments with a scratch partner, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi reunites with Yap Roy King and will have to be wary of Vietnam’s world No. 84 pair Nguyen Dinh Hoang-Tran Dinh Manh in the opening round.
The same applies to women’s doubles pair Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee, who have struggled for form in recent months and face Ukraine’s world No. 43 duo Polina Buhrova-Yevheniia Kantemyr in the first round.
On paper, however, Carmen-Xin Yee should have the edge, having beaten the Ukrainians in both of their previous meetings, most recently at last year’s Denmark Open.
Mixed doubles pair Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien, who were promoted from the reserve list, also face a stern opening-round test against world No. 21 pair Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand.
