'Aaron-Wooi Yik can still make history'
World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik and two other Malaysian pairs — world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and world No. 22 Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King — are drawn in the bottom half.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, winners in 2022, will have to oust Arif-Roy King in a potential third-round clash before setting up a possible semi-final showdown against independent pair Sze Fei-Izzuddin.
Aaron-Wooi Yik must also brace for a last-eight clash against either China's world No. 6 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang or India's world No. 9 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik have been having a good run and everything depends on their hunger to win the world title for the second time," said Kien Keat.
"They must make sure their current momentum lasts longer and also helps them hit form at the right time to win the title in Paris.
"Having said that, it is extremely difficult to pick the top four pairs at the World Championships this time as there is no pair who have managed to remain consistent throughout the season.
"So it gives everyone the chance and our pairs must also seize the opportunity to try and win it."
Aaron-Wooi Yik and Sze Fei-Izzuddin have received a first-round bye, while Arif–Roy King will play Japan's world No. 34 Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura in their opening round.
Another Malaysian pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, are in the top half but they too face a tough passage. World No. 7 Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who have also received a bye, are expected to play 19th-ranked Frenchmen Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov in the second round, and are projected to take on world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the quarter-finals.
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