Malaysia's men's doubles reshuffle will officially begin at next week's Japan Open, where several newly formed partnerships will make their competitive debuts under national coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
The spotlight will be on Man Wei Chong and Soh Wooi Yik, who will play together for the first time following the recent overhaul of Malaysia's men's doubles department. The new pair face a challenging opening match against Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen, with an even tougher route potentially awaiting them in the later rounds.
If they progress, Wei Chong and Wooi Yik are likely to meet either France's Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov or Indonesia's second seeds Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the second round. A quarter-final clash against Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani or England's Ben Lane and Sean Vendy could also be on the cards.
The Japan Open will provide the first real indication of how quickly the new partnership can build chemistry after the Badminton Association of Malaysia split two of the country's leading pairs as part of its long-term preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Source: FMT
Meanwhile, world No. 6 Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, the defending Japan Open champions, begin their title defence against China's Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi. They could face South Korea's Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju or Denmark's Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the second round.
Another pair attracting attention is former world junior champions Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing, who will play their final tournament together before another round of partnership changes takes effect at the China Open. Aaron is set to team up with Aaron Chia, while Khai Xing will partner Arif Junaidi in the following tournament. The duo begin their Japan Open campaign against China's Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi.
Elsewhere, Arif Junaidi and Yap Roy King will face Americans Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith, while independent pair Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong take on Japan's Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
In the singles events, Leong Jun Hao opens against Taiwan's Chi Yu Jen, with a potential second-round meeting against France's Christo Popov. Wong Ling Ching faces a difficult first-round test against former world champion P. V. Sindhu, while K. Letshanaa takes on South Korea's Kim Ga Eun.
Women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have a favourable first-round draw against Taiwan's Hsu Yin Hui and Lin Jhih Yun. However, a possible quarter-final meeting with world No. 1 pair Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning could prove their biggest obstacle. Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting, meanwhile, begin against South Korea's third seeds Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee.
In mixed doubles, reigning world champion Chen Tang Jie will make his anticipated debut alongside Clarissa San while regular partner Toh Ee Wei continues her recovery from a knee injury. They will face Taiwan's Yang Po Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang in the opening round.
With several new combinations taking to the court for the first time, the Japan Open is expected to provide an early measure of Malaysia's revamped squad as the national team begins its build-up towards the next Olympic cycle.
