PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttler Aaron Chia celebrated his 29th birthday in style by advancing to the second round of the German Open.
In the match held at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mulheim on Tuesday (Feb 24), Aaron and his partner Soh Wooi Yik were pushed hard by Denmark's William Kryger Boe-Andreas Sondergaard before prevailing 21-16, 25-23 in 40 minutes.
The top seeds will next face either Taiwan's Chen Cheng-kuan-Ling Bing-wei or France's Julien Maio-William Villeger in the second round.
Also progressing to the second round were professional pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin brushed aside France's Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renior 21-17, 21-19 in 33 minutes.
They will take on either Singapore's Donovan Wee-Howin Wong or fellow Malaysians Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin in the next round.
