Malaysia’s men’s doubles world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are under pressure to keep their place at the season-ending World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou this December, with compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun threatening to overtake them in the race.
Only two pairs per country are allowed to qualify for the lucrative event, which offers US$3 million (RM12.66 million) in prize money.
While world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are virtually assured of qualification with 78,670 points, Sze Fei-Izzuddin (60,460) must deliver strong results in the upcoming European tournaments to stay ahead of Wei Chong-Kai Wun (73,550), who currently sit fourth in the World Tour rankings.
The trio will feature in the Super 500 Arctic Open (Oct 7-12), Super 750 Denmark Open (Oct 14-19), and Super 500 French Open (Oct 21-26).
Sze Fei-Izzuddin were runners-up at last year’s WTF to Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and will need to reproduce that form to secure qualification.
Meanwhile, mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (68,960) have already guaranteed their place, while fellow Malaysians Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, currently fifth in the rankings, also remain in contention.
In women’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (92,140) are virtually assured of their spot, while Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing, ranked 11th, still have an outside chance to break into the top eight with a strong European run.
No Malaysian men’s singles shuttlers are expected to qualify, with Lee Zii Jia ranked 69th and Leong Jun Hao at 26th in the standings.
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