The World Championships draw is set to take place on Wednesday (Aug 13) ahead of the tournament proper which gets underway on Aug 25 in Paris.
Stadium Astro highlights the three things to look out for ahead of the anticipated draw.
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Lee Zii Jia’s opponent as an unseeded player
The Paris Olympics bronze medalist is set to make a return after a long injury lay-off which has seen him only feature in two tournaments this year.
Lee will be unseeded in the world meet in Paris, and that would mean a potential match-up with any of the top eight seeded players.
While the now world number 52 isn’t under any pressure to perform having not played competitively for five months, Lee would want to stay in the competition for as long as possible.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, Pearly-Thinaah can go far as second seeds
Both the country’s top pairs have been seeded second in the men’s and women’s doubles categories, which could mean a favourable draw all the way to the semi-finals at least.
Based on current form, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah represent Malaysia’s best hopes of returning home with a gold medal.
Chia-Soh have already won three titles and finished twice as runners-up this year, while Tan-Thinaah have collected the Thailand Open silverware and finished second on three occasions at the Indonesia Masters, Indonesia Open and Japan Open.
Alwi Farhan could stake a claim for the men’s singles crown
It is a long shot, but do not discount Alwi Farhan from going the distance in Paris.
The rising Indonesian star, who replaced Viktor Axelsen in this world champs, has been boosted by his maiden World Tour title after beating Justin Hoh to clinch the Macao Open last week.
Farhan could well be the dark horse to upset the usual suspects that are made up of Shi Yu Qi and Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
