World champions Tang Jie-Ee Wei begin Malaysia Open campaign with tough opener

KUALA LUMPUR: World champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei will have to hit top gear from the outset after landing a tricky draw in the Malaysia Open mixed doubles competition next week.

The world No. 4, seeded fourth, begin their campaign at Axiata Arena against Indonesia's world No. 10 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu — a challenging first hurdle for a season opener.

On current form, the tie looks demanding, but the Malaysians hold a psychological edge.

They boast a 6-0 head-to-head record over the Indonesians, a stat that suggests an advantage if they can quickly find rhythm on home soil.

A win would send Tang Jie-Ee Wei into a second-round meeting with either compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, ranked world No. 21, or Denmark's world No. 12 Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje.

Progress beyond that could set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between the world champions and the Asian champions.

Hong Kong's veteran combination Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, seeded seventh, are projected opponents and will open their campaign against Malaysian professionals Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing.

China's world No. 1 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping and world No. 6 Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui also positioned in the same section, with Tang Jie-Ee Wei could potentially either of them in the semi-finals.

The Malaysians will be hoping to improve on their semi-final finish last year and mount a genuine push for the title — one that would end a decades-long drought.

Malaysia last won the Malaysia Open mixed doubles crown in 1965 through Teh Kew San-Ng Mei Ling.

Since then, only Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have come close, finishing runners-up in 2016 during their Rio Olympic silver-medal season.

Malaysia also have cause for optimism in world No. 9 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, the next highest seeds at No. 8.

Soon Huat-Shevon have what appears to be a more negotiable route to at least the quarter-finals.

They face Taiwan's world No. 38 Wu Guan Xun-Lee Chia Hsin in the first round, and are likely to meet India's Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto next — a winnable tie on paper.

However, the last eight will be decisive. Standing in their way of matching last year's semi-final run are likely world No. 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin.

Soon Huat-Shevon will be making their seventh Malaysia Open appearance.

Another local professional duo, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien, face a stern opening test after being drawn against Yan Zhe-Dong Ping.