A new Malaysian mixed doubles partnership featuring Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin will make its competitive debut at the Malaysia Masters, marking the start of a fresh project in the national setup.
The pair will compete at the Unifi Arena from May 19 to 24, entering a highly competitive field as they begin their journey under national mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto.
Wong joins the national team after an impressive spell on the independent circuit, where he previously partnered Lai Pei Jing to multiple runner-up finishes on the international stage. His recent form led to his inclusion in the Badminton Association of Malaysia setup last month.
Cheng, meanwhile, has been reshuffled into this new partnership following changes in the national mixed doubles line-up, creating a new pairing that will need time to develop coordination and consistency.
Coach Nova has adopted a patient approach toward the duo, stressing that expectations should remain realistic as they adjust to playing together at international level.
He highlighted Wong’s attitude and character as positive early indicators but emphasised that the focus is on long-term development rather than immediate results.
The coach noted that building chemistry and understanding between partners is essential, especially when facing experienced world-class opposition.
After the Malaysia Masters, Wong and Cheng are also expected to compete at the Singapore Open, giving the coaching staff further opportunities to evaluate their progress against higher-ranked pairs.
Despite the developmental focus, Wong has expressed ambition to compete for titles, though both players are aware of the challenge ahead.
The Malaysia Masters draw features several elite pairs, including reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, as well as other top-ranked combinations from Thailand, China and Denmark.
For the new Malaysian pair, the tournament represents a difficult introduction to top-level competition, but also a valuable opportunity to gain experience and test their potential on the international stage.
