Paris-bound Tang Jie-Ee Wei aim to make waves on the Seine
The world No. 4 have been handed a potentially tricky path to the final following the draw released on Wednesday.
Seeded fourth and quarter-finalists on their debut in Copenhagen in 2023, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will enjoy a first-round bye.
They will open their campaign in the second round possibly against India's Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Gadde.
The world No. 33 Indians should pose little trouble on paper, but as the first outing in Paris, Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be eager to shake off any rust quickly.
It will also be the first meeting between the two pairs.
The first real test is expected in the last 16 against Indonesia's world No. 11 Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu.
The Malaysians have beaten them twice this year — at the Indonesia Masters in January and Japan Open last month.
However, the young Indonesians have made significant strides, lifting the Taiwan Open title in June and reaching the semi-finals of both the Asia Championships and China Open.
If they clear that hurdle, a quarter-final showdown looms with Hong Kong veterans Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.
The Hong Kong pair, now under the guidance of former Malaysian international Jeremy Gan, have met Tang Jie-Ee Wei only once, with the Malaysians winning at the 2023 Arctic Open.
Chun Man-Ying Suet have been rejuvenated since reuniting in April, stunning the continent's elite by winning the Asia Championships.
They will be looking to add to their two World Championships' bronzes from 2018 and 2021.
Reaching the semi-finals would likely mean a clash with top seeds Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
The in-form Chinese pair have captured eight titles in their last 11 tournaments they started.
While Tang Jie-Ee Wei memorably beat them in the Paris Olympics group stage, the Chinese duo still lead their head-to-head 6-2.
Yan Zhe-Dong Ping will also be out to make amends for their quarter-final exit at the Games 12 months ago.
National mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto believes the fourth seeding offers a crucial edge.
"A seeding certainly gives a bigger chance," said Nova.
"With this position, in the quarter-finals they won't meet the top pairs, especially the Chinese, so the minimum target should be a medal — at least the semi-finals."
Malaysia have only ever won one mixed doubles medal in the history of the World Championships.
"If Tang Jie-Ee Wei succeed, it will be historic," Nova added.
"We've even joked with friends, hoping that mixed doubles luck will be on our side at this World Championships."
If successful, Tang Jie-Ee Wei would become just the second Malaysian mixed doubles pair to reach the podium after Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty's bronze in 2006.
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