KUALA LUMPUR: Following the success of national mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie at the Singapore Open on Sunday, coaches and players are starting to believe this could be Malaysia's chance to shine at the World Championships in Nanjing, China, next week.
A fortnight ago in Jakarta, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying also did well to reach the Indonesia Open final, before succumbing to Olympic and world champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir.
Boosted by their progress, national mixed doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang wants his trainees to keep a cool head.
Cheh Chang said today: "On paper, we look good to win a medal, especially after Soon Huat-Shevon's success in Singapore.
"But this is the World Championships we're talking about and every pair will want to give their best. Are we ready for that?
"If you ask me, I don't have any favourites. I think any Malaysian pair can spring a surprise, if they stick to what they do best.
"Of course the advantage here is Soon Huat-Shevon and Peng Soon-Liu Ying are riding high on their recent form, but I won't write Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing off.
"I want them to learn from their teammates. Look at Soon Huat-Shevon, who crashed out in the first round of the Malaysia and Indonesia Opens. Did they give up? Nope, they bounced back. If you want to make it, you have to bounce back and regain that lost confidence."
Soon Huat-Shevon and Peng Soon-Liu Ying are seeded seventh and eighth respectively for the world meet, and have received first round byes.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing, however, will have to face Taiwan's Liao Min Chun-Chen Hsiao Huan in the opening round.
Malaysia have never really made an impact on the mixed doubles event at the world meet, with their best result being a bronze medal, won by Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty in 2006 in Madrid.
The other Malaysian shuttlers bound for the world meet are former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Soniia Cheah, Goh Jin Wei, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean.