The World Tour is set to resume this month with the Japan Open (July 15-20). Stadium Astro highlights three talking points as the Malaysian shuttlers prepare for a grueling calendar ahead.
Can Herry IP continue to work his magic?
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Since taking charge this year, the seasoned Indonesian coach has worked his methods into the country’s top men’s doubles pairs and it has paid off handsomely.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have won three titles in six months at the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open to climb second on the world rankings.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have also stepped up with two titles at the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters to sit seventh in the world.
Herry IP has already set a target for his shuttlers to return with at least one silverware from the Japan Open (Super 750) and China Open (Super 1000).
He has had the luxury of time to work with his pairs during this off-season to prepare them for a title assault when competition resumes.
Pearly-Thinaah can make history at World Champs
Now ranked third in the world, Tan-Thinaah will resume their charge for more silverware when the World Tour season resumes.
High on their list is the World Championships, where they will make history if they return with a medal.
Malaysia has never made podium in the women’s doubles at the world meet, with Tan-Thinaah the last pair who progressed furthest when they reached the last eight back in 2023.
This time, the Indonesia Open finalists have the backing of their new coach Rosman Razak, who is proof the local coaches have the quality to produce champions.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin must find their form again
It was in the second half of the 2024 World Tour season that Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin earned their most successful career streak by winning the Japan Open, China Open and Arctic Open.
They ended last year by collecting a silver medal at the World Tour Finals, and a huge chunk of those achievements have resulted in them being the world’s top pair at present.
This year, however, the professional pair have only one title to their name at the India Open.
They will need to dig deep to emulate the same form of last year in the upcoming months.
