Herry IP: I'm just a tool behind Aaron-Wooi Yik's success
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Herry IP has played down his role in Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's back-to-back World Tour triumphs, following their latest win at the Thailand Open on Sunday.
Herry, affectionately known as "The Magician," insisted he was merely a guiding hand for the world No. 5 and other national shuttlers.
Prior to their Thailand Open success, Aaron-Wooi Yik had also captured the Badminton Asian Championships (BAC) title in China last month.
However, Sunday's final in Bangkok proved far from easy.
The second seeds were pushed to the limit before claiming a hard-fought 20-22, 21-17, 21-12 victory over Denmark's world No. 75 William Kryger Boe-Christian Faust Kjaer.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik are mature players. They are always highly motivated to become champions," Herry said when contacted in Bangkok.
"I am just a tool to help them reach their goals. I've always remained consistent in my advice and stressed the importance of executing our planned strategies for each match.
"I hope this win will be the beginning of many more titles for them."
With the pressure of ending their title drought lifted, Aaron-Wooi Yik will now set their sights on breaking another jinx — winning their first title on home soil at the Malaysia Masters, which start on Tuesday at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
"Of course, this win will give them a boost heading into the Malaysia Masters. Every player dreams of winning at home," added Herry.
Malaysia will be represented by eight pairs in the men's doubles main draw, led by Aaron-Wooi Yik and world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
They'll be aiming to end the country's title drought at the Malaysia Masters, with the last local winners being Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2013.
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