Early steep hurdle for Aaron-Wooi Yik at Japan Open

Tough task ahead: Aaron Chia (left) and Soh Wooi Yik need to get past China’s Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi in the Japan Open first round. — AP

PETALING JAYA: The odds are stacked against national No. 1 men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in their bid to bring big cheers to the country as they have been handed a tough draw in the Japan Open in Osaka.

The world No. 6, who finished as bronze medallists in the individual event at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, need to get past China’s Indonesian Open champions Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi in the first round starting on Aug 30.