Malaysia will lean on depth, belief and home support as seven men’s doubles pairs begin a combined assault on the Malaysia Open title when the tournament starts on Tuesday.
The host nation has not produced a men’s doubles champion at its flagship event since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah lifted the trophy in 2014, a drought that now stretches to 12 years. World No. 2 Aaron Chia admits the statistic weighs heavily, but believes the time may be right for a breakthrough.
Recent history offers encouragement. At last year’s Malaysia Masters, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun defeated Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysian final at Axiata Arena, proving local pairs can rise together on major stages.
“There will definitely be challenges because everyone knows how long we’ve waited at the Malaysia Open,” said Aaron.
“But if you look at last year’s Malaysia Masters, we had an all-Malaysian final. It’s not that Malaysia hasn’t been winning — it’s just this tournament in particular.
“This year, we also have many Malaysian pairs competing. So we can all hope that something good happens.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik, along with world No. 5 Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who reached the semi-finals last year, will lead the local charge. They are backed by a strong supporting cast: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Junaidi, Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri.
On paper, Malaysia’s presence is imposing, but past editions have shown numbers alone do not guarantee success. When the tournament returned in 2022 after the Covid-19 hiatus, 10 Malaysian pairs competed, yet none reached the final. Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin were the best performers, both exiting at the semi-final stage.
This year, the emphasis is on turning momentum and belief into results. Asked if another all-Malaysian final would be the perfect scenario, Aaron was clear.
“Of course we hope for that. It doesn’t matter which pair — as long as it’s Malaysia.”
Five Malaysian pairs sit in the top half of the draw, with one spot in the last 16 already assured after Wee Kiong-Azriyn were drawn against Yew Sin-Ee Yi in an all-local first-round match.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun face a tough opener against Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin meet Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard. Hon Jian-Haikal will take on England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, with the possibility of an all-Malaysian clash in the last 16 should both pairs advance.
