Malaysia fielded Leong Jun Hao, the world No 38, as the first singles player since the two main singles stalwarts, Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong, were rested because they were not fully fit.

Zii Jia had experienced breathing difficulties due to sinusitis while Tze Yong is down with a back injury.

Jun Hao lost to Weng Hong Yang, the world No 16, by 19-21 and 17-21.

Malaysia’s main doubles pair, 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, were then defeated 16-21 by Xie Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han in the first set before bouncing back to win the second set 21-16.

However, Aaron-Wooi Yik lost to the world No 90 pair 21-23 in the deciding set during the match that lasted 66 minutes.

Eogene Ewe, Malaysia’s second singles player, continued the disappointing performance as the world No 298 was easily defeated in straight sets of 10-21 and 14-21 by Lei Lan Xi, who is ranked 35th in the world rankings.