Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong have been handed challenging draws at the upcoming All-England (March 12-17) against Kodai Naraoka and Lakshya Sen respectively, with Ng’s participation still in doubt due to his injury.

Former champion Lee, who lifted the title in 2021 after beating Viktor Axelsen in the final, will take on sixth seed Kodai Naraoka.

Lee does not have a good record against the Japanese, winning only once in their four encounters.

But interestingly, his solitary win over the world number six came at last year’s All-England, so the Kedahan will be aiming for a repeat success when the competition gets underway in the city of Birmingham.

Ng, who has only played one full match this year, is scheduled to face India’s Sen.

But his participation is still in doubt after he suffered a new injury setback, this time to his spinal disc.

The world number 16 has been withdrawn from the German Open due to the latest injury, and he will be assessed ahead of the French Open (March 5-10) and All-England.

“We will have to wait and see the extent of his injury. As of now, his name is still in for participation at the French Open, All-England and Spain Masters. We are expecting he will be in a good condition to play,” said national coaching director Rexy Mainaky.

In the women’s singles, Goh Jin Wei has a tough opener against China’s He Bing Jiao.

The men’s doubles will see Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik go up against national team-mates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi have China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi for company.

Ong-Teo need a big performance from this Super 1000 event to stand a chance to make it to the Paris Olympics in July.

Another pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun will face Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Sato.

In the women’s doubles, two Malaysian pairs will also face each other after Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah were drawn against Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien.

Three pairs – Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing will meanwhile compete in the mixed doubles.