Tired Aaron-Wooi Yik know how to survive [WATCH]
World No. 3 Aaron-Wooi Yik's win over Denmark's world No. 1 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen has assured the hosts of the Malaysia Masters title after 12 years.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are also a match away from completing their first career hat-trick after winning the Asia Championships last month and Thailand Open last week.
Compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun had outplayed Japan's world No. 20 Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi 21-12, 21-14 in the other semi-final.
Despite physical and mental exhaustion, Aaron-Wooi Yik outwitted Astrup-Rasmussen 21-19, 17-21, 21-15 in 64 minutes.
This will be the fourth time the Super 500 tournament features an all-Malaysia final. Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah secured the nation's last title in 2013, beating compatriots Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
It will also be the first time Aaron-Wooi Yik reached a final at home while Wei Chong-Kai Wun will feature in their second after the 2023 Malaysia Masters.
However, Wooi Yik wasn't thinking about the records and was relieved to have survived a difficult clash against Astrup-Rasmussen.
"It's very difficult in back-to-back tournaments, but we tried to overcome it as this is something new for us," said Wooi Yik.
"We didn't want to think at the start that we cannot play. We have to figure out what we can do in every match."
Aaron, who is looking forward to giving the fans a great show, said: "We just hope to play a really good game for everyone who comes here to support us. Winning or losing in secondary," said Aaron.
"I think we have to treat the match against Wei Chong-Kai Wun (their head-to-head record is 2-2) tomorrow like training. Of course, we also want to win but the most important thing is that the title has been confirmed for Malaysia.
"There will be some kind of tiredness playing back-to-back tournaments, so it doesn't really matter for us."
Results:
Semi-finals (Malaysians unless stated)
Men's singles: K. Srikanth (Ind) bt Yushi Tanaka (Jpn) 21-18, 24-22; Li Shi Feng (Chn) bt Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) 21-15, 21-15.
Doubles: Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun bt Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (Jpn) 21-12, 21-14; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den) 21-19, 17-21, 21-15.
Women's singles: Han Yue (Chn) bt Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) 21-19, 21-16; Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt Ratchanok Intanon (Tha) 21-17, 21-16.
Doubles: Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning (Chn) bt Apriyani Rahayu-Febi Setianingrum (Ina) 12-21, 21-7, 21-9; Jia Yi Fan-Zhang Shu Xian (Chn) bt Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah 21-16, 15-21, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping (Chn) bt Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Gonzalez Chan (Tpe) 21-10, 21-7; Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin (Chn) bt Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi (Chn) 15-21, 22-20, 21-19
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Zulaikah swings back into contention with birdie finish
Malaysia's trio of Zulaikah Nasser, Aretha Pan and Genevieve Ling have given themselves a fighting chance to secure a dream LPGA Tour start at the Maybank Championship in October after a solid opening round today. Zulaikah carded an even-par 72 to share second place with Thai amateur Achiraya Sriwong, both trailing another Thai amateur, Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul, by five strokes after she fired a stunning 67 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC). Zulaikah said: "I feel pretty good about my round although it was very up and down. "I think I did well through the first eight holes and then on nine and 10, I bogeyed both holes. "However, I bounced right back and finished with a birdie. I'm happy. I am hopeful for another good day tomorrow. Aretha and Genevieve each returned a 73 to sit in a four-way tie for third alongside Thailand's Chanakim Khamborn and Namo Luangnitkul, heading into today's decisive final 18 holes. Only the top five finishers will book their spots in the US$3 million (RM12.7 million) showpiece, which returns for its third edition as the richest LPGA Tour stop in Asia. Earning a place in the elite 78-woman field guarantees a minimum payout of approximately US$5,400 as the tournament is a no-cut event. It was a tougher day for the highest-ranked Malaysian in the field, Liyana Durisic, and former SEA Games gold medallist Ng Jing Xuen, who both have work to do to secure back-to-back appearances after struggling to 77s in the opening round. Leading first round scores: (Malaysian unless stated) *(a) indicates amateur 67: Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul (Tha) (a); 72: Zulaikah Nasser, Achiraya Sriwong (Tha) (a); 73: Chakansim Khamborn (Tha), Aretha Pan, Genevieve Ling, Namo Luangnitikul (Tha); 74: Tatiana Wijaya (Ina), Thitapa Pakdeesettakul (Tha), Onkanok Soisuwan (Tha), Kan Bunnabodee (Tha).

The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Top pairs could still be included in SEA Games team
Malaysia men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in action against South Korea's Kim Young-hyuk-Wang Chan during the first round of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: National doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei remain in the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) plans for the SEA Games in Thailand this December. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said BAM have yet to finalise the 20-player list for the biennial multi-sport event following a selection committee meeting with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. BAM have requested a one-week extension before submitting the final list to OCM, citing concerns that main rivals Thailand and Indonesia may also field strong pairs in their bid for gold. 'Thailand will be sending their strongest squad, and I understand Kunlavut (Vitidsarn) will also be competing,' said Rexy. 'We still need to discuss further, including with the singles camp led by Kenneth (Jonassen) and other coaches such as Herry (Iman Pierngadi) for the men's doubles. 'We are among the top three contenders. If Thailand and Indonesia send their strongest teams, we will do the same. If not, we will at least send a line-up capable of mounting a strong challenge. He also dismissed concerns of a scheduling clash between the SEA Games and the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China. The badminton competition at the SEA Games will take place from Dec 8 to 14, while the World Tour Finals are scheduled for Dec 17 to 21. Earlier, Aaron expressed his intention to make way for other pairs such as world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun or the in-form Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who recently won the Macau Open, to compete in Thailand. Aaron and Wooi Yik previously won the men's doubles gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, the Philippines. Rexy said while he respected Aaron's view, a thorough discussion must be held before making any decision. 'It doesn't mean I don't support what Aaron said. I respect it, but there are many factors to consider and matters that require detailed discussion. ''We value the players' opinions, and in men's doubles, we have several other strong combinations,' he added.


Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
SEA Games: BAM to name 20-player squad next week, says doubles coaching director Rexy
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is expected to finalise its list of players for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand within a week before the national squad leaves for the 2025 World Championships, which will be held from August 25 to 31 in Paris. BAM doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said discussions will be held with all doubles coaches to pick the best combinations. 'Give us a few more days, maybe a week, before we announce the final decision. The SEA Games does not clash with the World Tour Finals. 'We are still in discussions before making a decision. If Indonesia and Thailand send their full squads, we must also ensure that our team is capable of challenging them for the gold medal,' he said after the Thailand SEA Games selection meeting at Wisma OCM here today. Rexy also said several top pairs, including men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, are likely to be selected but stressed that nothing has been confirmed. 'We appreciate comments from players such as Aaron-Wooi Yik, who wish to give young players an opportunity. 'Moreover, in the doubles events, we have many talented players such as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri. However, everything must be discussed with the coaches,' he said. The final list is expected to comprise 20 players — 10 men and 10 women. The 2025 SEA Games will be held from December 9 to 20. — Bernama