KUALA LUMPUR: After a poor run of late, Rexy Mainaky believes his doubles shuttlers can rise again Down Under.
The Academy Badminton Malaysia doubles coaching director expects better results from them at the Australian Open starting tomorrow.
The Malaysians failed to impress at the recent Korea and Japan Opens.
Only Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani reached the Korea Open quarter-finals and world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were the only Malaysians to reach the last eight in the Japan Open.
With Olympic qualifying in full swing, Rexy admitted that the Malaysians must up their game.
"I still believe that if we manage (the expectations) well, we can deliver better results," he said.
For many, the Australian Open will be the last stop before the World Championships in Copenhagen next month.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, as well as top women's doubles Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah have come close to winning titles this year, but have yet to break the duck.
In the Australian Open, Aaron-Wooi Yik are seeded second and will open their campaign against a qualifier. They should face Japan's Ayato Endo-Yuta Takei in the second round.
The other Malaysian men's doubles in the fray are US Open champions Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Taiwan Open champions Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, independents Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, and Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.
As for Pearly-Thinaah, the 2022 French Open champions are in for a tricky opener against fifth seeds Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu of China.
Should Pearly-Thinaah clear the first hurdle, there is a possibility of them facing independent duo Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien in the second round.