5 days ago
Aaron-Wooi Yik sweep past French pair, M'sia assured of spot in semis
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were in fiery form today, a far cry from their first-round exit in Japan last week. (AFP pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik qualified for the quarter-finals of the China Open after an easy win over France's Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov.
The world No 2 pair took just 35 minutes to beat the French brothers 21-17, 21-18. This is their second win over the French duo, who are ranked 18 rungs below them, in their two encounters so far.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who were eliminated in the first round of the Japan Open last week, were in fiery form today.
Their win also assures Malaysia of a semi-final spot as Aaron-Wooi Yik will play against world No 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the quarter-finals.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun took 56 minutes to defeat compatriots Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 17-21, 21-17, 21-19 in another second round match.
Three other Malaysian pairs have qualified for the tournament's quarter-finals, namely men's doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah.
The China Open is a World Tour Super 1000 event which offers a total cash prize of US$2 million (RM8.4 million).
