Rexy admits much work ahead for shuttlers at All-England after Paris letdown

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s prospects in the All-England look bleak after a disappointing show in the ongoing French Open.

None of the Malaysian shuttlers made it past the quarter-finals in Paris with men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik the only representatives in the last eight.

World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik lost out 19-21, 16-21 to South Korea’s reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae on Friday.

The former, though, remain Malaysia’s best hope in the All-England, which gets underway next Tuesday in Birmingham.

Others such as Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles), who are also in the Road to Gold (RTG) Paris Olympics programme, have been struggling in World Tour Super 750 and 1000 tournaments this year.

World No. 15 Pearly-Thinaah went down 21-18, 16-21, 12-21 to China’s world No. 5 Zhang Shuxian-Zheng Yu in the first round while world No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei fell 18-21, 14-21 to another Chinese pair Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping (No. 4).

The defeats meant that both the pairs have yet to clear the early rounds in a 750 or 1000 event this year.

National coaching director Rexy Mainaky acknowledged that his charges have a lot to improve on.

“Pearly-Thinaah are slowly getting back to their old style of play but need to improve physically,” said Rexy.

“As for Tang Jie-Ee Wei, they have to work on their mindset when playing against the world’s top eight pairs.

‘‘Their self-belief in matches against these pairs is very low.

“Aaron and Wooi Yik need to work on their movement on court. Wooi Yik also has to improve his smash power.

“I hope the players keep fighting and give their best in the All-England,” added Rexy.

In the All-England, Aaron-Wooi Yik will face teammates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the opening round.

The other Malaysian men’s doubles pairs in the fray are Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and independent duo Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.

Wei Chong-Kai Wun have a tricky first-round match against Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Saito while Yew Sin-Ee Yi also have a tough task against China’s world No. 8 Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi.

There will be another all-Malaysian clash in the women’s doubles first round between Pearly-Thinaah and independent pair Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien.

Meanwhile, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will need to raise their game if they hope to clear their opening hurdle against Thailand’s 2021 world champions Dechapol Puavaranukoh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai.