Latest news with #Aaron-WooiYik
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
China Open set for all-Malaysian mayhem in men's doubles
KUALA LUMPUR: The China Open is shaping up to be a brutal proving ground for Malaysia's top men's doubles pairs, and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are right in the middle of it. While world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are aiming to bounce back from their shock first-round exit at last week's Japan Open, it's BAM's No. 2 pair Wei Chong-Kai Wun who have drawn the short straw in Changzhou. The world No. 7 open their campaign against 23rd-ranked compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King on Wednesday, with the winners likely to face independent duo Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, the Japan Open quarter-finalists, in the second round. And it doesn't get any easier from there — a potential quarter-final showdown against Aaron-Wooi Yik awaits if results go to script, making it a possible run of three all-Malaysian encounters in a row. Aaron-Wooi Yik, meanwhile, will open against Denmark's world No. 20 Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard of Denmark. "I'm optimistic the men's doubles pairs, especially Aaron-Wooi Yik, will bounce back stronger and deliver improved results in China," said national coaching director Rexy Mainaky. "But the draw is really tough, and it's unfortunate that several of our pairs are stuck in the same quarter. "Wei Chong-Kai Wun have to play Arif-Roy King in the first round, then possibly Azriyn-Wee Kiong, and maybe even Aaron-Wooi Yik in the quarter-finals. It's not ideal, but we're hoping for a better overall showing than we had in Japan." At the Japan Open, Wei Chong-Kai Wun were the only BAM pair to reach the quarter-finals. Aaron-Wooi Yik, meanwhile, suffered a surprise defeat to compatriots Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in the opening round. World No. 30 Yew Sin-Ee Yi then put together a spirited run to the semi-finals before falling to eventual champions and world No. 3 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea. Yew Sin also drew headlines off the court, with wife and former Japanese world No. 7 Aya Ohori cheering him on from the stands. Her presence was cheekily credited as a "lucky charm" during the duo's impressive campaign in Tokyo. They'll be hoping for another spark of luck in Changzhou, where they open against new Chinese pairing Ren Xiang Yu-Sun Wen Jun on Wednesday. Defending champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who will relinquish their world No. 1 ranking on Tuesday, begin their title defence against South Korea's world No. 49 Kang Min Hyuk-Ki Dong Ju on Wednesday. Also in the fray are world No. 47 Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri, who face a tricky opening match against the scratch Indonesian combination of Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Herry warns rivals not to write off Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Herry IP has warned rivals not to write off Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun despite their off-colour performances at the Japan Open in Tokyo. Herry, fondly known as the Fire Dragon, has called on his charges to show their class and bounce back at next week's China Open. World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, who were on a hot streak with three titles in as many months, crashed out in the first round to independent compatriots and world No. 30 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi. World No. 7 Wei Chong-Kai Wun, meanwhile, were no match for South Korea's world No. 3 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, falling in straight games in the quarter-finals at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. "Our men's doubles pairs were not up to scratch and failed at the Japan Open, but I want to make sure they bounce back and perform better in China," said Herry. "Winning and losing is part of the game, but we must evaluate our performances, build on our strengths and improve on our weaknesses. "I will sit with the players for video analysis to rectify shortcomings and ensure we're fully prepared for the China Open." It's not the first time Herry has had to rally his players. After a poor showing at the All England in March, he helped reignite their form. Since April, Aaron-Wooi Yik have picked up titles at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC), Thailand Open and Singapore Open, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun lifted the Malaysia Masters crown.
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Ee Yi-Yew Sin finally break first-round curse, but at Aaron-Wooi Yik's expense
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: The all-Malaysian clash between Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin in the first round of the Japan Open has brought a mix of emotions. There was disappointment as second seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik suffered a shock early exit from the tournament, especially with high hopes riding on them to go far. At the same time, there was relief for Ee Yi-Yew Sin, who finally broke their first-round curse. Since the India Open in January, the pair had failed to progress past the opening hurdle in any of their tournaments. This time, they showed renewed determination, especially Yew Sin who recently tied the knot with former Japanese singles shuttler Aya Ohori. The former world championship bronze medallists in 2021 took just 30 minutes to upstage Aaron-Wooi Yik with a convincing 21-15, 21-15 win. National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky admitted he was personally surprised by Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's early exit. 'It is definitely shocking when a seeded pair loses in the first round,' said Rexy briefly when contacted. Meanwhile, it was a nervy path to the second round for Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who had to battle hard against fellow Malaysians Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. The sixth seeds narrowly took the opening game before pulling away in the second to secure a 30-28, 21-12 victory. They will face China's Huang Di-Liu Yang in the next round. There was still something to cheer for in the national camp, thanks to a commanding performance from women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. Fresh off signing contract extensions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the pair looked sharp and composed as they eased past Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva 21-16, 21-14 in just 31 minutes. 'They played with good composure. At the start, they were still adjusting to the drift in the hall, but once they took the lead at the interval, they controlled the match well,' said Rexy, who was pleased with their performance. They will take on Taiwan's Hsieh Pei-shang and Hung En-tzu in the second round today.
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Early exit shock for Aaron-Wooi Yik in Japan Open
PETALING JAYA: It was a blow for world No. 3 men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as they suffered a shock early exit in the first round of the Japan Open on Wednesday (July 16). Playing at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Aaron-Wooi Yik were given a tough fight by compatriots Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin. Despite coming in as the second seeds, nothing went their way as they were sent packing by Ee Yi-Yew Sin, losing 15-21, 15-21 in just 30 minutes. In another all-Malaysian clash, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were given a scare by Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, who pushed hard in their bid to secure a spot in the second round. However, Wei Chong-Kai Wun regained their composure just in time to take control of the match and sealed their place in the next round with a hard-fought 30-28, 21-12 win. Meanwhile, in the women's doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah made a strong start to their campaign following the recent extension of their contracts with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). They made light work of Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva, securing a 21-16, 21-14 win in 31 minutes.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Challenge for Malaysians to end hot streak of fresh Korean duo
PETALING JAYA: South Korean men's doubles hotshots Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho seem unstoppable in major tournaments but can Malaysians end their hot streak? Seung-jae-Won-ho, who only combined at the beginning of this year, have already clinched three World Tour Super 1000 titles so far at the Malaysian Open, Indonesian Open and All-England. And they can add another in the Super 1000 China Open next week but first, they will compete in the Super 750 Japan Open starting today. The Malaysians have stopped them on their track thrice this year but in lower-tiered tournaments. Professional shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have knocked them out in the Indian Open (Super 750), and former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik ousted them in the Singapore Open (Super 750). Having reached every final so far, the Koreans will be a tough nut to crack. And Seung-jae-Won-ho's stunning form has also seen them rise to No. 3 in the world and are only behind Sze Fei-Izzuddin (No. 1) and Aaron-Wooi Yik (No. 2) in the rankings. Their main goal is to win the title at the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris and the Malaysian pairs will need to be at their best to stop the duo from dominating in the next three tourneys. In the Japan Open, second seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik are likely to take on third seeds Seung-jae-Won-ho in a mouthwatering semi-final clash if both pairs justify their respective seedings. Aaron-Wooi Yik have been in fine form themselves since April, capturing the Asian Championships, Thailand Open along with the Singapore Open and finishing runners-up to world No. 7 teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the Malaysian Masters. Aaron-Wooi Yik will first need to overcome fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in their opening match. A win will likely see them play Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura in the second round and if they make it into the last eight, they could face a more difficult test against either China's Paris Olympics silver medallists Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang or India's 2022 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. Meanwhile, Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are also the defending champions, should have little trouble getting past Canada's Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander in the first round. A trickier test, however, awaits them in the second round against either Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita or Taiwan's Wang Chi-lin-Chiu Hsiang-chieh. In other opening men's doubles matches involving Malaysians, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will meet teammates Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi while French brothers Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov stand in the way of Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub.
