BASEL: Despite crashing out in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Open on Friday, national men's pair Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri must surely be considered for the Thomas Cup next month.
Amid injury setbacks, Hon Jian-Haikal have made steady progress over the last few months and have remained consistent after winning back-to-back titles last year (Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters).
On Friday, the Malaysians world No. 32 went down in straight games 21-16, 22-20 to Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, but just a week earlier landed their second Super 300 title, when they came out tops at the Orleans Masters in France.
Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will surely make the Thomas Cup squad as the No. 1 men's doubles pair, but the second and third pair slots are still up grabs.
Based on rankings, independent duo Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi are the second highest ranked pair in the country, but the world No. 12 have also been struggling with form lately.
World No. 18 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun is the other pair that will be fighting to make the cut, but they too were sent packing in the Swiss Open last eight on Friday.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who have not gotten up to their 2023 standards, lost 21-14, 23-21 to another Indonesian pair Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin in Basel.
World No. 19 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will surely stake their claim, but their current form has been a letdown.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who have not made it past the second round on the World Tour this season, lost on Thursday in the second round to Thailand's Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren.
The Thomas Cup this year is scheduled on April 27-May 5 in Chengdu, China.
Malaysian have been drawn in Group D alongside Denmark, Hong Kong and Algeria.