OLYMPIC champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia have become Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari’s jinx and they must break it in the All England in Birmingham next month.
National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky has urged Zakry-Fairuz, who might play Markis-Hendra in the semi-finals, to secure an upset to boost their confidence after losing in all five meetings previously.
Zakry-Fairuz had taken the Indonesians to three games in the semi-finals of the Swiss Open last year but were beaten comprehensively in the Denmark and French Opens after that.
Prior to that, Zakry-Fairuz had lost in the 2007 Singapore Open and 2002 Luster International in Kedah.
However, Rexy believes All England could be the stage where Zaky-Fairuz finally triumph in the expected semi-final clash.
“Zakry-Fairuz have not beaten Markis-Hendra but they must go all out to overcome them in the All England. The victory will be a confidence booster,” said Rexy.
“They can take some heart from the Swiss Open last year where they came close to beating the Olympic champions.
“Beating Markis-Hendra will be the breakthrough that would give them more success in future.”
Zakry-Fairuz begin their campaign against Yonathan Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan of Indonesia and are expected to meet Anders Kristiansen-Simon Mollyhus of Denmark in the second round before a likely quarter-final clash against England’s Nathan Robertson-Anthony Clark.
Markis-Hendra have an easier passage to the semi-finals. They play Germans Kristoff Hopp-Johannes Schoettler in the first round, expected to face compatriots Muhammad Ahsan-Bona Septano in the second round and should meet scratch South Korean pair Lee Yong Dae-Shin Baek Cheol.
Markis-Hendra are also expected give their best shot as they have yet to win the All England.