GUANGZHOU: Coach Rexy Mainaky wants the doubles pairs to pull up their socks in the tie against Denmark to keep alive Malaysia’s hopes of advancing to the Sudirman Cup semi-finals.

Rexy, who acknowledged that the performances of his players needed to be stepped up by another gear to keep Malaysia’s challenge going in the championships, said that the facts were crystal clear and winning both the singles matches would not be enough to mount a serious challenge.

He added that the performance of the doubles players, including the mixed pair, was not convincing in the two ties against South Korea and Hong Kong.

“I know how important it is for us to do well in all the three doubles but I must admit that things are not going the way I had wanted. The Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong combination have not been up to the mark, especially in the defeat by the Koreans (Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung),” said Rexy.

“Kien Keat was a bit slow in that particular match and I am also not satisfied with the performance of Chin Eei Hui when she and Wong Pei Tty lost to the Koreans (Lee Jong-hyo-Lee Kyung-won). (Eei Hui) needs to play with more fire.”

Although the two pairs made amends in Malaysia’s 4-1 win over Hong Kong, Rexy be­­lieves they needed to raise their game when they play against the Danes in a crucial tie to decide a ticket to the semi-finals.

“Denmark are no pushovers and their doubles, particularly the men’s and mixed combinations, can beat just about anyone here. We need to be cautious and be at our best. Anything less might not be enough,” he said.

Rexy, however, gave the thumbs up to diminutive Pei Tty for her contribution to Malaysia’s cause, especially the demands put on her to play in the doubles and the mixed doubles where she partners Kien Keat.