China Open early mass exits raises alarm ahead of World Champs

Only national women’s doubles pairs Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah are left in this Super 1000 event, following the exits of Leong Jun Hao, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, Soh Wooi Yik-Man Wei Chong, Chen Tang Jie-Clarissa San & Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub in the second round on Thursday.

These early exits serve as an indication the Malaysian shuttlers are stuttering on the big stage, which is not a good sign especially with the World Championships less than a month away.

The China Open setback comes on the back of last week's disappointment at the Japan Open, where Goh-Izzuddin were the only Malaysian representatives to reach the semi-finals.

Another point of concern is that the reshuffled national men’s doubles pairing, which are the strongest contenders for a medal at the world meet, have been thrust with new partners for the Japan Open and China Open.

For instance, Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai made their debut in China which ended in a first-round defeat.

Now Chia and Tai will go back to training with their former partners Soh and Kang Khai Xin ahead for the world champs.

Soh and Man who were also playing in only their second tournament, were clearly disjointed as a pair in their straight game loss to a Japanese pair on Thursday.

These exits will question the timing of the reshuffling done by the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

Should the national body have waited after the World Champs to ring the changes, in hopes of a greater chance of returning with medals?

Last year, Chen and Toh Ee Wei were crowned mixed doubles world champs, while Tan-Thinaah finished with a silver medal after reaching the final.

Repeating that achievement seems highly unlikely given what has transpired in the last two weeks at the Japan Open and China Open.