KUALA LUMPUR: There is no such thing as an easy draw at the World Tour Finals (WTF).
To be crowned champion at the season-ending finale, shuttlers who have worked tirelessly all year long must face the challenge head-on, or head home.
This is the view of national men's doubles coach Tan Bin Shen after analysing the draw for this year's edition, which starts on Wednesday in Hangzhou.
Making their fourth appearance at the WTF, Malaysia's world No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have found themselves in the same group as China's world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, No. 7 Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan, and another China duo, world No. 8 Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi.
Only the top two pairs in Group A and Group B will reach the semi-finals.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, for the record, have never cleared the group stage in the previous editions.
Bin Shen, who is in China with Aaron-Wooi Yik, said: "At this level, and at this point, Aaron-Wooi Yik must be ready to face anybody.
"All eight pairs have the same target and are equally strong. Nothing matters except for on-court performance.
"Mentally and physically, they need to prepare well. This tournament also serves as a good stepping stone ahead of next year's Paris Olympics."
After testing the courts at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Bin Shen added: "So far, our preparation is good.
"My advice to Aaron-Wooi Yik is to stay focused and challenge themselves to do better."
The other Malaysian pair who will feature at the WTF is the mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
