PETALING JAYA: Asian Games men’s doubles bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik shrugged off their lethargy while Ong Yee Sin-Teo Ee Yi did not have to lift their racquets as both pairs marched into the second round of the Denmark Open in Odense in contrasting styles yesterday.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who bowed out in the first round of the Arctic Open to compatriots Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik in Finland last week, were determined to avoid the same fate and secured a 21-16, 21-18 win over Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov of France in 35 minutes.
Awaiting them in the second round are veterans Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia who defeated compatriots Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan 30-28, 21-15 in the opening match. Aaron said that the defeat at the Arctic Open was just not due to tiredness but playing against compatriots were never easy.
“Tiredness was there but it is always tough to play compatriots in a match. They (Wei Chong-Kai Wun) were on top of their match in Finland,” said Aaron.
“The rest has helped and as always, we start from the scratch in this tournament. We are focused to play here.”
Yew Sin-Ee Yi faced a daunting task of taking on Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Randkireddy-Chirag Shetty but they received a walkover from the world No. 1 yesterday. due to former’s shoulder injury.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi will meet either compatriots Wei Chong-Kai Wun or Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Saito in the second round tomorrow.
However, it was the end for independent mixed doubles pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing in the first round.
Meanwhile, Arctic Open champion Lee Zii Jia plays Julien Carragi of Belgium while Ng Tze Yong, runner-up in Finland on Sunday, plays Lu Guangzu of China in the opener.
