Aaron-Wooi Yik crush compatriots to reach China Open semis
The Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists were in complete control throughout, sealing a 21-16, 21-16 victory — their fourth in seven career meetings against Wei Chong-Kai Wun.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun had beaten Aaron-Wooi Yik in the Malaysia Masters final in May, but the latter hit back with a win in the Singapore Open quarter-finals that same month — and once again showed their class in Changzhou.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will face either world No. 28 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi or India's reigning Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in Saturday's semi-finals.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Five titles not enough — Herry demands world champs in Paris
KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Herry IP insists he's far from satisfied despite guiding Malaysia to five titles in just six months since taking charge of the national men's doubles squad in February. The latest success came courtesy of world No. 24 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who lifted the Macau Open crown on Sunday after defeating Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 22-20, 21-18 in a 80-minute final. That win marked Malaysia's fifth men's doubles title of the season under the Indonesian coach – fondly dubbed the 'Fire Dragon'. Herry has already played a key role in helping world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bag titles at the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open, while also reaching the finals of the Malaysia Masters and China Open. World No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun chipped in with a title of their own at the Malaysia Masters, bringing the tally to five since Herry's arrival. But the seasoned tactician is demanding more — with his sights firmly set on the biggest prize of all — the World Championships in Paris at the end of the month. "I hope we can produce world champions this year — it doesn't matter which pair does it, as long as they are from Malaysia," he told BH Sukan. To date, Malaysia have won the world title only once through Aaron-Wooi Yik in 2022 in Tokyo — ending the nation's long wait for glory. This time, four Malaysian pairs will be in the hunt for honours in Paris – three from the BA of Malaysia (BAM) — Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Arif-Roy King, along with independent duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (world No. 4). On the Macau Open final, Herry said composure and patience were the keys to Arif-Roy King's breakthrough, particularly in challenging conditions – with the match frequently interrupted by water dripping from the arena's air conditioning system, creating slippery patches on court. "The match went on for 80 minutes because it had to be stopped multiple times due to the wet court," said Herry. "I told the boys to stay focused and patient – don't rush, as the court conditions were far from ideal. It wasn't about tactics – it was all about maintaining focus and composure." Herry described the pair's first World Tour title as the perfect morale booster ahead of the World Championships. "Yes, this is their first title, and it'll definitely give them an extra lift going into the Worlds." Their win in Macau also ended a 12-year drought for Malaysia in the men's doubles at the event – the last success coming in 2013 via Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong. Although pleased with the current level of consistency from his charges, Herry is aiming for greater depth moving forward. "I think our performance has been quite good and consistent, but I want more. In the future, I hope to see five or six Malaysian pairs capable of challenging for titles – not just two or three.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
On fire Aaron-Wooi Yik smash their way into China Open final
Today's semi-final success was the 11th time that Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have triumphed over India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty over 14 encounters. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik stormed into the China Open men's doubles final and stayed on track for their first World Tour Super 1000 title after defeating an Indian pair. World No 2 pair Aaron-Wooi Yik displayed superb power and defence to overcome the nippy 12th ranked Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-13, 21-17 in a semi-final match lasting 41 minutes. They will take on Indonesia's surprise package Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the final. The Indonesians are playing together for only the second time. Today's semi-final victory is the 11th time that Aaron-Wooi Yik have beaten the Indian pair in 14 encounters. The Malaysians, who are two-time Olympic bronze medallists, also set a record by being the first men's doubles pair in the world to qualify for the finals of a World Tour Super 1000 event six times. They will be making their second appearance in the China Open final after finishing as runners-up in 2023 and will be gunning for their fourth title this year after having won the Thailand Open, Singapore Open and the Badminton Asia Championships. The tournament offers a total prize money of US$2 million (RM8.4 million), with winners in the doubles events taking home US$148,000 (RM624,000) and the runners-up US$70,000 (RM295,146). The losing semi-finalists will each get US$28,000 (RM118,000).
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Hon Jian-Haikal send Asian Games champs packing in Macau
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