The Malaysian men’s doubles pair appeared lethargic as they made numerous unforced errors to give the unranked Thai pair, who were semi-finalists at the Arctic Open last week, an easy path to the last 16.

The Malaysians, ranked world No 8, had won the Japan and China Opens in September.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin trailed all the way in both games during tonight’s match, as they failed to perform the way they did when they won the three championships.

Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, there was better luck for Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing when they cleared the first round with a 21-7, 21-14 win over England’s Ethan Van Luuwen-Chloe Birch.

In the second round, the Malaysian professional pair will take on either South Korean third seeds Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun or Thailand’s Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat, who will meet later today in a first-round clash.