GOOD MIX: Wee Keong (behind) and his partner Khe Wei won their match this morning

KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky is not shy in expressing his true self. Having spent much time with his shuttlers during training, it is only human for the Indonesian to get emotional as he watches his players in action from the sidelines.

Nevertheless, Rexy hopes his best pairs will erase any doubts about his coaching abilities when they take on some of the world’s finest doubles pairs in the first round of the Malaysian Open tonight.

Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Abdul Latif play Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan at 9.10pm while Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong take on Indonesians Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan at 9.50pm. Women’s doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui are scheduled to face Taiwan’s Chiang Kai Hsin-Hsieh Pei Chen at 7.00pm.

“I can only guide them. What happens on the court is entirely out of my control and a lot runs through my mind when I see my players in action,” admitted Rexy, at Stadium Putra this morning.

“Sometimes (during the match) I feel tensed and wonder if they can do it. Of course the players show little emotion but you’ll never know what runs in their minds and I feel the heat. I try not to doubt their capabilities.

“It’s been a rough season (2009) for the doubles pairs but I believe this will be a good year for them to shine. In fact I can see the burning desire especially in Kean Keat and Boon Heong to win this tournament.”

The last time Kean Keat-Boon Heong won the Malaysian Open title was in 2007. With arms crossed, Rexy cut a serious look as he witnessed Kean Keat and Pei Tty lose 21-19, 21-18 to fifth seeded Indonesians Hendra Aprida Gunawan-Vita Marissa in round 1 of the mixed doubles event this morning.

When asked of match Rexy said: “Fielding them (Kean Keat-Pei Tty) for the mixed doubles event is more of a tactical approach. It’s a good way for them to get adjusted to the court conditions especially the drift…it’s like a warm-up.

“We already have specific players in the mixed doubles department such as Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Wee Kiong-Woon Khe Wei. We can’t expect results overnight. Some countries like England, China and Indonesia have been concentrating on their mixed doubles for the past 20 years…we’ve only been doing it recently.”

Fairuzizuan, who underwent light training at the venue early this morning, is eager to play against his naturalised American opponents.

“We’ve played Tony and Chandra Wijaya before but not Tony and Howard Bach. It will be a good experience for us. Let’s see what happens tonight,” he said with a smile.