'Temporary splits will drive Aaron-Wooi Yik and Co to glory in Delhi'

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's men's doubles players anticipate a strong showing at the World Championships in New Delhi, starting this Monday. The team's success is dependent on their men's doubles squad, following the withdrawal of defending mixed doubles champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Ee Wei had to withdraw due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee surgery.

Former national player Jack Koh is confident in his country's men's pairs, citing the recent reformation of the team: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King. These players, along with in-form independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, are favored contenders. However, South Korean defending champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae hold the advantage, but Jack believes the pressure is entirely on them.

The pressure will be on the Korean pair, and if they falter, they will lose early. In the women's doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah face a fitness challenge due to a back injury, and they will face South Korea's world No. 3 Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee in the quarter-finals. In men's singles, world No. 27 Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh are scheduled to play in the second round, while K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching face world No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi and world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi, respectively.

Defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China is considered the favorite in men's singles, alongside Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, France's Christo Popov, and Indonesian shuttlers.