KUALA LUMPUR: The host nation will look to sheer depth - and a timely dose of home belief - as seven men's pairs launch a collective bid to finally reclaim the Malaysia Open crown starting Tuesday.
Not since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah triumphed in 2014 has Malaysia celebrated a men's doubles champion at its flagship event.
The wait now stretches into its 12th year, a statistic world No. 2 Aaron Chia admits sits heavily on local shoulders.
There are reasons for optimism.
The last time Axiata Arena staged a World Tour leg, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun defeated Aaron-Soh Wooi Yik to lift the Malaysia Masters last May, completing a rare 1-2 finish for the home nation and proving that Malaysian pairs can still rise together on big stages.
"I think there will definitely be challenges. Everyone knows it has been a long wait at the Malaysia Open," said Aaron.
"But if we look at last year's Malaysia Masters, we had an all-Malaysian final. So 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 I hope, and we can all hope, that something good happens."
Aaron and long-time partner Soh Wooi Yik, together with world No. 5 and last year's semi-finalists Wei Chong-Kai Wun, will spearhead the local challenge, supported by a strong cast:
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 7), Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Junaidi (No. 17), Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub (No. 28), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 29) and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 33).
Numerically, Malaysia's presence appears formidable.
But history shows representation alone is no guarantee. When the tournament returned in 2022 after a two-year pause due to Covid-19, there were as many as 10 local pairs in the fray — four of whom entered the main draw following late withdrawals — yet none reached the final.
Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin were the best performers, both bowing out in the semi-finals.
This year's hope lies in momentum and belief being channelled more effectively.
Asked whether another all-Malaysian final would be the dream outcome, Aaron was direct:
"Yes, of course we hope for that. It doesn't matter which pair — as long as it's Malaysia."
Five Malaysian pairs feature in the top half of the draw, with one place in the last 16 already guaranteed as Wee Kiong-Azriyn face Yew Sin-Ee Yi in an all-local opening round.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun face a daunting opener against Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen; Sze Fei-Izzuddin take on Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard of Denmark; while Hon Jian-Haikal meet England's Ben Lane-Sean Vendy.
Should both progress, Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Hon Jian-Haikal could set up an all-Malaysian clash in the last 16.
