Wei Chong-Kai Wun not intimidated by Vikings [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun insist pedigree will count for little when they open their Malaysia Open campaign against Denmark's former world No. 1 pairing, saying performance and stability on the day will decide the outcome.

The world No. 5 will face world No. 10 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the first round of the season-opening Super 1000 tournament, a clash that pits rising confidence against proven experience.

The Danes lead the head-to-head 2-1 and won their most recent meeting at the Singapore Open in 2024, edging a tight three-game contest in the second round.

Despite the daunting draw, Wei Chong said the focus remained firmly on execution rather than reputation.

"Our preparation is there, but what matters most is how we perform on the court," he said. "Whoever plays better and stays stable will win."

Kai Wun echoed the sentiment, stressing that rankings and past results offer no guarantees once the match begins.

"It's about performing well. If we perform well, the results will follow," he said.

The pair believe familiarity with the venue will help them settle quickly, having competed at the stadium regularly over the past few seasons.

"So far the court conditions are okay. We've played here for several years," Wei Chong said.

However, Kai Wun enters the tournament carrying physical concerns after recently recovering from a fever, with lingering effects still evident as the tournament begins.

"I had a fever and just recovered, but my whole body still feels weak," Kai Wun said. "I've also had a cough for a few weeks."

The 25-year-old also continues to manage a calf injury that troubled him last season, admitting he never fully rested it to keep competing on tour.

"I try not to think about the injury. If I rest completely, it takes a long time to recover, but I didn't," he said. "I'm just maintaining my condition."

While he is not feeling any pain, Kai Wun acknowledged that some movements remain restricted as he balances recovery with competition.

Despite the physical challenges, Kai Wun made it clear that he has no intention of holding back when competition begins.

"There's no pain, but some movements are not very smooth," he said. "I will go all out for the home fans who come from far to watch us play."