Early danger in Tokyo for Tang Jie-Ee Wei
While world No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei should beat Canada's world No. 144 Kevin Lee-Josephine Wu in the first round, they are expected to face China's All England champions Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui in the second round.
That is a match fraught with danger for the Malaysian pair though the young China duo are ranked five rungs lower in the world rankings.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said Tang Jie-Ee Wei must get past Xin Wa-Gang Hui if they are to win the title in Tokyo.
"A big challenge for Tang Jie-Ee Wei against the Chinese All England champions, but it will be a boost for them for the matches after that," said Rexy.
"In terms of preparation, Tang Jie-Ee Wei are ready for the Japan Open. Everything in training has been looked into, and they just need to go with the momentum."
Tang Jie-Ee Wei had a commendable run in the second half of last year — where they won the Korea Open and finished seocnd at the World Tour Finals — but had a brief split-up in March due to personal differences.
They reunited later and reached the Indonesia Open semi-finals last month.
Though Xin Wa-Fang Hui look formidable, Tang Jie-Ee Wei are expected to be quietly confident as they have a winning 2-0 head-to-head record against the Chinese duo.
Xin Wah-Fang Hui also face a tricky first round against Indonesia's rising pair, world No. 14 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu.
The other Malaysian mixed doubles competing in Tokyo are world No. 6 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, world No. 13 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin and world No. 34 Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien.
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