Boon Heong won't double hopes of final spot despite big number of men pairs
That was the cautionary note from former world No. 1 Tan Boon Heong ahead of the Malaysian Masters starting on Tuesday, with 10 Malaysian men pairs set to compete.
While the numbers suggest a strong chance of making the final, recent results tell a different story.
At the Malaysian Open in January, for example, Malaysia fielded six men's doubles pairs, but only Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun reached the semi-finals.
It was a similar tale at the All-England in March, where hopes were high for the men's doubles squad, yet nearly all exited early.
Last year's Malaysian Masters also featured nine local pairs, but it was the unheralded Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King who staged a surprise run to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, higher-seeded pairs such as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and Wei Chong-Kai Wun bowed out at the quarter-finals.
For Boon Heong, the quantity of entries means little without quality performances on court.
'At the Malaysian Open earlier this year, we had six pairs and all lost early. It shows just how open and competitive the men's doubles event is,' he said.
'If Malaysian pairs are well prepared, focused and get some luck in the draw, there's a chance. But it won't be easy. Take Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin for an example, they face the world No. 3 pair Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang in the first round.
'Some top Korean pairs aren't participating this time, so there could be an opening. But even young or scratch pairs from Japan and Korea remain serious threats.'
Boon Heong also noted the added pressure of playing at home can sometimes work against players.
'There's definitely stress playing in front of a home crowd. You want to do your best, but that can become pressure and affect your game.
''I've experienced that myself, especially playing in Malaysia.
'My advice is for players to channel that pressure into motivation to raise their level.'
This year's Malaysian Masters will also see Malaysia's Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong, and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri in action.
An all-Malaysian showdown is expected in the qualifying round, with junior world champions Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing set to face Fazriq Razif and Bryan Jeremy Goonting.
The last time Malaysia had representatives in the Malaysian Masters final was in 2019, when Ee Yi-Yew Sin fell to Indonesia's Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.
As for a Malaysian champion, the drought continues, with the last title won 12 years ago by Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in the 2013 edition.
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