Another tough opener awaits as Tze Yong faces Hongyang in Thailand
PETALING JAYA: National men's singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong, who is still searching for his first win of the year, will need to give it his all after receiving a tough first round draw at the Thailand Open starting next Tuesday. Currently ranked a lowly No. 392 in the world, Tze Yong has been drawn to face world No. 16 Weng Hongyang of China. The last time the two met was in the quarter-finals of the Korean Open three years ago, where the Chinese shuttler defeated Tze Yong in straight games. The Johor-born player only made his return to competition this year after being sidelined for a year due to a back injury. His comeback at the Taiwan Open recently was less than encouraging, as he lost in the opening round to home shuttler Wang Po-wei. Meanwhile, fellow Malaysian Leong Jun Hao can breathe a little easier as he holds a positive record against world No. 18 Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong, whom he is set to face in the first round. Jun Hao had previously defeated Ka Long during the group stage of the Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China last year.
Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin will need to go through the qualifying round to secure a spot in the main draw.
Justin is set to face Belgium's Julien Carragi, while Aidil will take on India's Sathish Karunakaran.
In the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei faces a tall order as she goes up against China's Chen Yufei, who recently helped her country clinch their 14th Sudirman Cup title last week.
There will be an all-Malaysian clash in the women's singles qualifying round, with S. Kisona facing off against K. Letshanaa as both aim to book a place in the main draw.
In the men's doubles, Malaysia will have seven pairs competing in the first round, led by second seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who will play France's Julien Maio-William Villeger.
Third seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun will take on compatriots Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri, while Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King are up against India's Krishnamurthy Roy-Sai Pratheek.
A tough task awaits Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong as they face top seeds Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia, while rising pair Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing, who are still finding their rhythm after winning last year's World Junior title, will await qualifiers.
Professional duo Nur Azryin Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong will take on Korea's Jin Yong-Na Sung-seung.
Malaysia also have two pairs in the men's doubles qualifying round - Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao will face Taiwan's Lu Ching-yao-Wei Chun Wei, while veteran Goh V Shem, now partnered with Korea's Choi Sol-gyu, will meet the Thai pair of Vichayapong Kanjanakeereewong-Narueset Laotherdpong.
Only three Malaysian women's doubles pairs will be in action, led by top seeds Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who are set to play Japan's Hina Osawa-Akari Sato.
Eighth seeds Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing will face Taiwan's Chen Su-yu-Hsieh Yi-en, while rising stars On Xin Yee-Carmen Ting have a stern test against third seeds Treesa Jolly-Pullela Gopichand of India.
In the mixed doubles, Valeree Siow makes her return to international competition alongside Roy King. This will be their second outing together after the Asian Championships in Ningbo last April.
But a stiff challenge awaits Valeree-Roy King as they face defending champions Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fanghui of China.
Professional pair Wong Tien Ci-Li Chiew Sien will meet Thai ace Sapsiree Taerattanachai, who is now paired with newcomer Phuwanat Horbanluekit. Seventh seeds Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin will await opponents from the qualifying round.
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