[UPDATED] M’sia Open: world champs Aaron-Wooi Yik crash out on home turf

KUALA LUMPUR – The hopes of national top men’s doubles duo, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, to continue their journey in the Malaysia Open were dashed today.

The world champions crashed out of the second round after losing to China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xian Yi in straight sets, 10-21, 21-23. 

Going into the quarterfinals tomorrow, only two pairs of doubles players are left to carry the torch for the country.

Men’s doubles duo Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi overpowered their Taiwanese opponents Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han, 17-21, 21-13, 21-14 albeit it took them almost 1.5 hours to conclude the game.

However, a tougher fight is ahead of them as they will face Indonesia’s favourites Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto in the quarterfinals, with whom they had won only three matches out of nine meetings previously.

Also joining them in the next round is mixed doubles players Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who delivered an upset on Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, 21-19, 21-16.

Meanwhile, other players who exited the Super 1000 event were compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai.

Malaysia’s dream to see women’s doubles representation in the quarterfinals was also shattered by the defeat of Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing at the hands of China’s Zhang Shu Xian-Zheng Yu.

“In the first set, we made a lot of unforced errors, which eventually gave our opponents more confidence to lead the game. 

“They are solid players, it is difficult to beat them. 

“We need to study our game more and continue to work hard. 

“We have much more to achieve, no matter what rank we are at. We have to work on our consistency,” said Aaron after the match. – The Vibes, January 12, 2023