KUALA LUMPUR – Two out of four of the national men’s doubles pairs qualified for the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Masters, which will be played tomorrow.
Sixth ranked Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik defeated Kim Gi Jung-Kim Sa Rang (no. 98) of South Korea 21-18, 21-18 in 34 minutes in the round of 16 today.
They had defeated them in their previous meeting at the round of 32 of the Indonesia Open last month.
“We played better today because we were more relaxed and patient.
“Our coach (Rexy Mainaky) could guide us all the way, but when we play on court it is up to us. We need to overcome our barrier,” Aaron told the media after the match at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who are also the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalists, will square up against Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ko Chi-Po Li Wei.
“We have met them before, just not with this new partnership but played them with their previous pair.
“We still feel fresh and ready to give 100% for our next match,” Wooi Yik added.
Junaidi Arif-Muhammad Haikal, however, went up against their own teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, winning in straight sets 21-18, 21-14 in 35 minutes.
They will face Indonesia’s men’s duo, sixth-seeded Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto next.
Fellow countryman Goh V Shem tested positive for Covid-19 before entering the arena, forcing him and his partner Low Juan Shen to allow opponents Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kabayashi to progress.
Chang Yee Jun-Yap Roy King fell to Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ko-Chi-Po Li-Wei.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles category last-man-standing Ng Tze Yong was knocked out of the last 16 after he lost to fourth seeded Chou Tien Chen of Taipei in straight sets 21-18, 21-16 in 51 minutes.– The Vibes, July 7, 2022
