KUALA LUMPUR – National top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik started on the right foot in the opening round of the Malaysia Open today after defeating Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-Huei-Yang Po-Hsuan, 16-21, 21-15, 21-16.
The match proved to be challenging for the world champions as it took them 56 minutes to down their world number 38 opponents in their second meeting.
They last met at the Thailand Open last year, where they beat the Taiwanese in straight sets, 21-18, 21-16.
“This was only the opening round, and it was already tough. But I think it is good for us too because it made us more prepared for the next match, which we know will only get tougher.
“During the first set, you can see that we struggled, but eventually bounced back in the second set and continued our momentum from there,” Aaron told the media after the match.
Wooi Yik had to skip the interview with the media as he had to be seen by the physician for minor injuries to his knee and hand, but Aaron assured that it was nothing to worry about.
The fourth seeds are set to face China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi in the second round, whom they lost to in their past two meetings.
However, things did not turn out well for their teammates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun as they suffered defeat at the hands of their opponents.
Meanwhile, it was a good day for Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing in the women’s doubles discipline as the newly paired shuttlers defeated teammates Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien, 21-13, 21-13.
Despite not having enough time to prepare for the Super 1000 event, the duo who were promoted from reserves will face seventh seeds Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu of China next.
They are the only Malaysian representatives in the women’s doubles after Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah were struck out by Bulgarian sisters Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva in the opening round yesterday.
Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying lost to Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, 18-21, 21-15, 21-7.
The latter will face Malaysians Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei next, who upset teammates Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, 21-15, 21-10. – The Vibes, January 11, 2022
