KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Trouble lurks for Malaysia’s women’s doubles pairs due to several top combinations having changed their partners ahead of the 2025 Malaysia Open badminton championships at the Axiata Arena here from tomorrow (Jan 7) until Sunday (Jan 12).
National women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak said the situation made it difficult for him to judge how the new pairs would perform at the Super 1000 season-opening tournament.
“We have no data (on the new combinations), so it’s very complicated. Previously, we had the data and knew their playing style...
“Now, we have to start all over again because there are many new pairs and (it’s a) new environment for women’s doubles,” he told reporters during the court testing session here today.
Some of the new combinations in women’s doubles are Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo-Chiharu Shida and Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto; South Korea’s Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong; and Indonesia’s Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.
Meanwhile, Rosman is targeting national number one pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah to reach, at least, the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open for the first time.
“It will be quite tricky for them to get past the first and second rounds. Hopefully, they can do their best and advance as far as they possibly can,” he said.
Pearly-Thinaah are expected to meet Lanny-Siti Fadia in the opening round of the 2025 Malaysia Open.
Rosman also hopes that 18-year-olds Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting will gain valuable experience when they make their debut in the 2025 Malaysia Open despite their opponents being way above their class.
Xin Yee-Carmen, who are ranked 125th in the world, face a tough opening task as they have been drawn to meet world number 22 Shuo Yun Sung-Chien Hui Yu of Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Xin Yee, well aware of their underdog tag, aims to spring a surprise against the Taiwanese pair and march into the second round.
Xin Yee also named Pearly-Thinaah as her badminton idols, saying she admires the world number six pair’s never-say-die attitude.
-- BERNAMA
