KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun need to find the X-factor to stand out, said former world No. 1 doubles player Tan Boon Heong.
World No. 13 Wei Chong-Kai Wun showed glimpses of their brilliance to reach the Super 1000 Indonesia Open final in June. Along the way, they upset world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea, but were bested by China's world No. 1 pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang in the title decider.
However, their season has been marred by first or second-round exits, except for quarter-final appearances at the Swiss, Japan, Hong Kong, China Opens and Malaysia Masters.
Boon Heong, who used to rule the men's doubles with Koo Kien Keat, said Wei Chong-Kai Wun need to develop the X-factor to strike fear into opponents.
"I have seen them play a lot but their gameplan is very flat and there is nothing special.
"It's missing something that makes their opponents fear and respect them.
"When I was playing top pairs like China's Fu Hai Feng-Cai Yun and Indonesia's Hendra Setiawan-Markis Kido, they all had a strong point that set them apart from others, whether it's their attacking prowess, speed or defence.
"Wei Chong and Man Tee need to find that 'weapon' and work on it, so their opponents will have respect for their game," said the 2006 Doha Asian Games gold medallist.
In their prime, Boon Heong was known for his powerful smashes and Kian Keat his skillful and deceptive strokes.
At the recent China Open, Wei Chong-Kai Wun defeated Min Hyuk-Seung Jae again to reach the quarter-finals. However, they lost to compatriots, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, the eventual winners.