REIGNING men's doubles world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi know that they have a huge target on their backs and cannot afford a lapse in attention.
The world No 4 created history last year when they became the first-ever Japanese pair to lift the world title.
But the pair have yet to show their mettle this year after starting their season with a quarter-final defeat at the German Open last week.
They are also struggling to produce their best in the All-England. The pair had slogged to a three-game win over Malaysian youngsters Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the first round.
On Thursday, they were once again taken to the task as they needed another three games before seeing off homesters Ben Lan-Sean Vendy 21-11, 19-21, 24-22 in the second round.
And Hoki-Kobayashi believe they cannot be satisfied with just being world champions and have set their sights on the world No 1 spot.
"We realised that we were not stable, and our opponents were taking points off us," said Kobayashi.
"That was when we needed to change our game plan in order to come through."
Hoki said: "Similarly to the first round, we were almost losing but we managed to take the crucial points for the win.
"We are aware that everyone will be out to beat us, and we have to show that even though we are in a tough spot, we need to keep winning and progressing.
"But we are definitely not satisfied with our current level yet.
"We may be the world champions, but it is still not enough for us as we want to be true champions.
"And getting to the world No 1 spot will be our target."
The Japanese pair met Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana, who downed eighth seeds Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 24-22, 13-21, 21-17, in the quarter-finals late yesterday.