KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Former three-time Malaysia Open men’s doubles champion Koo Kien Keat believes this year’s edition will pose a tough challenge for local pairs.
Kien Keat said that while Malaysian pairs have a chance of reaching the Malaysia Open 2026 final, winning the title on home soil — last achieved by Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah in the 2014 edition — will be a far more difficult task.
He attributed this to the consistency displayed by the current world number one South Korean duo, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
“To be honest, if you ask me, I think the Korean pair (Won Ho-Seung Jae) are very consistent and I am quite sure they will be champions or at least reach the final.
“There is also a chance for Malaysian pairs to make the final, but to win it, I really don’t know,” he said during the Malaysia Open 2026 court-testing session at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, here today.
Kien Keat first won the Malaysia Open title with Chan Chong Ming in 2006, followed by two more titles with Tan Boon Heong in 2007 and 2010.
The Seung Jae-Won Ho partnership enjoyed a successful season last year, including winning the 2025 World Championships and the 2025 World Tour Finals.
Meanwhile, the 40-year-old said he will be assisting independent pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani at this year’s Malaysia Open.
He clarified that his role is not as their official coach, but merely to help the current world number seven pair regain confidence after a dip in form following their only title last year at the India Open 2025.
The Malaysia Open 2026 kicks off tomorrow until Jan 11.
-- BERNAMA
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