Arif-Roy King ready to face big guns in Paris
The world No. 22, who will open their campaign against Japan's world No. 34 Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura, are on a collision course with teammates Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the third round.
However, Arif-Roy King won't be having inferiority complex as they believe they can compete with the best on the biggest stage.
Their recent triumph at the Macau Open, their maiden World Tour title, has provided a timely boost ahead of the world meet.
"We found out we had qualified for the World Championships before playing in Macau," said Wan Arif.
"Winning in Macau has given us confidence for Paris."
Roy King said: "We'll be going to Paris as underdogs. Even with the Macau win, we need to keep training hard and learning, because there's still a lot of room for improvement."
One area they have been focusing on is service reception, drawing lessons from video analysis of Aaron-Wooi Yik's game, as well as guidance from head coach Herry IP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Paris-bound Tang Jie-Ee Wei aim to make waves on the Seine
KUALA LUMPUR: A year after their memorable run to the Olympic quarter-finals in Paris, Chen Tang Jie- Toh Ee Wei are back in the French capital — this time aiming for a medal on a road that promises far more than a stroll down 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.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
What Jun Hao needs to do to 'stay alive' in Paris
KUALA LUMPUR: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen sees a window of opportunity for Leong Jun Hao at the Paris World Championships from Aug 25–31 despite the shuttler facing some big names in the early rounds. Debutant Jun Hao, who is ranked world No. 25, will potentially meet Japan's Kenta Nishimoto (No. 14) and Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen (No. 6) in difficult second and third round matches respectively. The former Asian Junior champion has beaten several world top 10 players, including Tien Chen (head-to-head 1-1). Against Nishimoto, it's 3-2. Jun Hao, 26, stands a fighting chance of making it to the quarter-finals and put himself in contention for a medal. "Jun Hao has a positive draw, and there are chances (of good results) if he performs at his highest level and stays consistent every day (in Paris)," said Jonassen. "For now, we need to focus on the next 10 days and get our final preparations done." Jun Hao should clear the first round against Switzerland's world No. 147 Tobias Kuenzi. However, much will depend on his ability to string together more than one big win after that, as his inconsistency has stymied his chances of achieving better results. Jun Hao defeated Nishimoto in the first round of the China Open last month, but lost to Thailand's world No. 3 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the second. At the Singapore Open, he overcame Indonesia's world No. 5 Jonatan Christie in the second round but lost to Kunlavut in the last eight. At the India Open in January, Jun Hao started well by toppling China's world No. 4 Li Shi Feng, but was beaten by China's world No. 16 Weng Hong Yang next. So it will be important for Jun Hao to "show up in every round", as pointed out by Jonassen, in order to make a strong impact in Paris. Jonassen, who led the Danish team at the Olympics last year, is well aware of the court conditions at the Adidas Arena in Paris. "As for the court conditions, I believe we have a good understanding after last year's Olympics in terms of what to expect," added Jonassen. Though Jun Hao didn't qualify for the Paris Olympics, he had competed in the Adidas Arena at the French Open earlier.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pang Ron-Su Yin need to stop Jekyll and Hyde show
KUALA LUMPUR: In training, mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin look sharp and assured, but not so during tournaments. Though the world No. 16 ended last season strongly with a runners-up finish at the China Masters, they, however, have been far from impressive this year, suffering nine early exits in 11 tournaments. National coach Nova Widianto admitted that he has found it hard to understand why Pang Ron-Su Yin, seeded 15th at the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25-31, appear hesitant and shaky in competitions despite their proven ability. Nova feels that their problem is largely mental, as they tend to lose belief after one or two mistakes. "In training, they have no problems. They are good. I see them train well — technically, there's nothing wrong," Nova said. "But in tournaments, it's like they lack confidence. They think too much — 'Oh, it's going to be the first round (loss) again'. "At the start of matches, they are okay. But after a couple of errors, the confidence disappears and they start thinking about losing again. So it's a mental issue and not technical." The Indonesian coach has reminded Pang Ron-Su Yin of the fearless "nothing-to-lose" attitude they once had when battling the world's best. "They've reached a Super 750 final before — that's not luck. They need to get back to that level of belief," said Nova, adding that they need to break the mental barrier in Paris. "They have the skills. Now they need to have the mindset," said Nova. Although BAM has a sports psychologist to help players with their mental game, Nova believes it ultimately comes down to the athletes themselves.
