Smashing show as Aaron-Wooi Yik reach worlds final, face Hendra-Ahsan next

Well done: Soh Wooi Yik-Aaron Chia all smiles after reaching the World Championships final.

PETALING JAYA: Tokyo is surely a good hunting ground for men doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.

Aaron-Wooi Yik kept their nerves to reach the final of the World Championships in a fantastic fashion at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo on Saturday (Aus 27).

The world No. 6 Malaysian pair survived a thrilling battle against world No. 7 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, prevailing 20-22, 21-18, 21-16 in a tight 77-minute match.

It was their sixth win against the Indians.

It's also their second final appearance this year. They also reached the final of the Asian Championships in Manila this year before losing to Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan of Indonesia.

They will be out to end the country's wait for its first world title when they face Indonesia's world No. 3 Hendra Setiawan-Mohd Ahsan in the title match on Sunday (Aug 28) at 2pm (Malaysian time).

Old-timers Hendra-Ahsan defeated younger teammates Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto 23-21, 12-21, 21-16 in another semi-final match.

Malaysia last reached the men's doubles final through Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong at the 2010 edition in Paris.

The Ahsan-Hendra versus Aaron-Wooi Yik final is a repeat of the Olympic Games bronze-medal match at the same venue which the Malaysians won.

A silver is assured but can the Malaysians go all the way to win it? Malaysia Boleh!