KUALA LUMPUR: A string of poor results in recent weeks has seen several Malaysian shuttlers slide down the world rankings, with men's singles Leong Jun Hao and men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani among those feeling the impact after last week's India Open.
In the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Jun Hao dropped seven places to No. 30, a worrying slide that could leave him vulnerable to missing out on Super 1000 and Super 750 tournaments should he fall outside the world's top 32 - the cut-off that guarantees entry into all World Tour events.
Jun Hao exited the India Open early due to injury, marking his eighth tournament without progressing beyond the second round, six of which ended at the opening hurdle.
Justin Hoh is the second highest-ranked Malaysian men's singles player at No. 37, climbing two rungs.
Lee Zii Jia, despite still searching for his first win in 10 months following another first-round exit last week, jumped 16 spots to No. 103 as he continues to benefit from points gained under his protected ranking.
The India Open was only Zii Jia's seventh tournament within the rolling 52-week cycle, allowing him to collect points without offsetting previous results.
Under the BWF system, only a player's best 10 results are counted, giving Zii Jia the opportunity to accumulate more points at this week's Indonesia Masters and next week's Thailand Masters.
He is projected to break into the top 80 by the first week of February even if his winless run continues.
Zii Jia's six-month protected ranking privilege is expected to expire in early March, with the All England set to be the final tournament where he can exercise it.
In men's doubles, Sze Fei-Izzuddin continued their downward trend, slipping two spots to No. 9, their lowest ranking in 15 months.
The slide will be a concern for the pair, who scaled a career-high No. 1 just six months ago, as dropping out of the top eight could cost them seeded status, particularly at high-tier tournaments.
That would leave them vulnerable to facing top opponents as early as the opening round.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik remained the nation's highest-ranked men's doubles pair at No. 2, while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun held firm at No. 6.
Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong are the other Malaysian pairs inside the top 32, ranked No. 19 and No. 27 respectively.
In women's doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stayed put at No. 2, followed by Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing (No. 21) and Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting (No. 25).
World champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei also paid the price for a disappointing outing last week, slipping one spot from No. 3 to No. 4, while Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai dropped out of the top 10 to No. 11.
Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin are ranked No. 20, while professional pair Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing continued their upward climb, rising three rungs to No. 25.
