Aaron-Wooi Yik eye first-ever two-title season in Bangkok
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have yet to win more than one World Tour title in a calendar year, but they have a golden chance to change that at the Thailand Open, which begins in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The second seeds lifted their first men's doubles crown of the season at the Badminton Asian Championships (BAC) in Ningbo last month.
With only two other top-10 pairs — world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia and seventh-ranked compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — in the draw, Aaron-Wooi Yik have an opportunity to make a breakthrough.
The pair have shown greater maturity under national coach Herry IP, which could prove decisive in their bid to go all the way in Bangkok.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have previously won the World Championships (2022), Denmark Open (2023) and Korea Masters (2023) before their recent BAC triumph.
Former doubles ace Datuk Razif Sidek believes a win in Bangkok would provide a timely confidence boost ahead of next week's Malaysia Masters, which features a strong field including world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
"Looking at the draw, Aaron-Wooi Yik will likely meet Fajar-Rian in the final. Their good head-to-head record (7-4) should give them the edge, barring any upsets," said Razif.
The Malaysians open their campaign against French pair Julien Maio-William Villeger in the first round.
Meanwhile, Wei Chong-Kai Wun, winners of the Indonesia Masters in January, face world No. 35 Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri in an all-Malaysian clash.
Haikal, who crashed out in the first round of the Taiwan Open last week on his return from a thigh injury, admitted it won't be easy.
"It's always frustrating playing against teammates because we know each other's game so well," said Haikal.
"We just have to do our best. Wei Chong-Kai Wun are in good form, and they beat us at the Malaysia Masters last year — our only previous meeting."
The other Malaysian pairs in the main draw are world No. 21 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 27), Low Hang Yi-Ng Eng Cheong (No. 42) and world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 60).
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