Aaron-Wooi Yik storm into Thailand Open final

The Star17-05-2025

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are just one win away from their second title of the year after storming into the men's doubles final in the Thailand Open.
Aaron-Wooi Yik were on top of their game and pulled off a dominant 21-17, 21-13 win over home favourites Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren in just 38 minutes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday (May 17).
It was the world No. 5 pair's third consecutive victory over the world No. 16 Thai duo, ensuring they stayed unbeaten against the latter.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who captured the Asian Championships crown last month, are looking for back-to-back titles when they take on either Indonesia's world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto or Denmark's surprise package William Kryger-Christian Faust in the final on Sunday (May 18).
It will be the 2022 world champions' first final in the World Tour since they won the Korean Masters last November.

Hashtags

#AaronChia-SohWooiYik

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Pearly-Thinaah attribute amazing comeback win over China pair to change in mindset

The Star

7 hours ago

The Star

Pearly-Thinaah attribute amazing comeback win over China pair to change in mindset

National women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah posing after beating Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi in the quarter-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Friday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's change in mindset is paying dividends. Pearly-Thinaah smashed into their maiden World Tour Super 1000 final after impressively beating China's world No. 6 Li Yijing-Luo Xumin in the Indonesian Open. The world No. 4 pair looked down and out after losing the first game 12-21 but showed great fighting spirit and mental fortitude to storm back to claim 21-17, 21-11 victories in the next two games at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta yesterday. Pearly attributed the breakthrough win to the pair's patient approach. "We kept reminding each other to be patient. We didn't want to rush. We just wanted to enjoy the game, whether win or lose," Pearly told the Badminton World Federation (BWF). "Our change in mindset was the turning point for us. We grew in confidence and that helped us win today (yesterday)." The win meant a lot for Pearly and Thinaah after previously struggling to even reach the last four in a Super 1000 tourney. "Words cannot describe how happy we are today (yesterday). From one game down, we really supported each other and we didn't want to give up easily," said Thinaah. "I'm very thankful to Pearly for her accurate smashes. We have been encouraging each other a lot in this tournament and before as well but today (yesterday) was a crucial point because it was not only about the strategy but also the mental and physical aspects. "I'm really thankful to have Pearly on my side." Pearly-Thinaah have avenged their defeat to Yijing-Xuomin after losing in straight games to the duo in the China Open first round last September. The pair have now reached their third final of the year after capturing the Thailand Open last month and finishing runners-up in the Indonesian Masters in January. Standing in Pearly-Thinaah's way in their bid to land the biggest title of their careers so far will be either Yijing-Xuomin's teammates, world No. 1 Liu Shengshu-Tan Ning or South Korea's world No. 3 Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee. Pearly-Thinaah are out to emulate 2009 champions Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, who were the only Malaysians previously to triumph in the women's doubles in the Indonesian Open. On their approach for the final, Thinaah said: "We want to have a relaxed mind and we just want to stay calm. "We have to remember each other's strengths and weaknesses and stay patient."

[UPDATED] Another escape act from Pearly-Thinaah

New Straits Times

7 hours ago

New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Another escape act from Pearly-Thinaah

KUALA LUMPUR: Again, it was Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's trademark that saved their day — their famed fighting spirit. he world No. 4 Malaysian pair made a spectacular comeback in the Indonesia Open semi-final in Jakarta today, battling from a game down to beat China's world No. 6 Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min 12-21, 21-17, 21-11. For that, they were rewarded with their first ever Super 1000 final in their careers. Pearly-Thinaah will meet either China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning or South Korean world No. 3 Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee in the title decider tomorrow. Despite playing their fourth consecutive World Tour tournament, the Malaysian duo refused to let weariness get in the way. The 65-minute battle was indeed a testament of the grit and maturity that Pearly-Thinaah are known for. "Words can't describe how happy we are today. At one game down, we didn't want to give up easily," said Thinaah. "Today, it was not just about strategy but mental and physical strength and I am really thankful that Pearly was by my side. She smashed a lot. "We just have to be relaxed and maintain our calm, which gives us strength, in the final tomorrow." Pearly said that there was no particular moment where the tide turned although the Chinese pair had been dominant early in the match. "There were some trick shots and we enjoyed those points." The energy-sapping sequence for Pearly-Thinaah began four weeks ago at the Thailand Open where they captured the Super 500 crown. This was followed by a semi-final appearance at the Malaysia Masters and the duo reached the last eight at the Singapore Open last week. The faster and younger Yi Jing (23) and Xup Min (22) set the pace to run away with a 21-12 win in the first game but Pearly, 25, and Thinaah, 27, began their customary fightback after that and ended the contest with a flourish.

[UPDATED] Dechapol destroys Malaysian hopes again

New Straits Times

9 hours ago

New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Dechapol destroys Malaysian hopes again

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh proved again why he is hailed as the best mixed doubles player in the world. He almost single-handedly ended the challenge of Malaysia's Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei at the Indonesia Open semi-final today. And yesterday, he played a key role in dismantling another Malaysian pair, world No. 5 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai in the last eight. World No. 6 Dechapol and his relatively new partner, Supissara Paewsampran came from behind to beat Tang Jie-Ee Wei 21-23, 21-15, 21-11 in 65 minutes at the Istora Senayan. "We did great in the first game but when it came to point to point, we didn't grab our chance," said Ee Wei. Dechapol, the 2021 world champion with former partner Sapsiree Taerattanachai, started combining with Supissara seven months ago, and have already won six World Tour titles. Tang Jie took the blame for the defeat, citing his higher error-rate during the crucial stages of the second and third games. "We tried to create attacking options, but I was making a lot of unforced errors at the net and lost points there. They played better but I have to take the responsibility (for the defeat)," said Tang Jie. "I think I couldn't handle the shots well at mid-court where I made mistakes." Dechapol-Supissara have now improved their head-to-head record against Tang Jie-Ee Wei to 3-1. For Tang Jie-Ee Wei, it was only their second tournament since resuming their partnership at the Singapore Open after their temporary split. Their result in Jakarta is still a big improvement compared to the Singapore Open where they lost to Taiwan's world No. 16 Ye Hong Wei-Nicol Gonzalez Chan in the second round.