Full of potential: Aaron Tai (right) and Kang Khai Xing are one of the fast improving duobles pairs in the country.
PETALING JAYA: The Taiwan Open which starts today in Taipei is set to give young men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing a good opportunity to test themselves ahead of the World Junior Championships.
Aaron-Khai Xing are preparing to compete in their last world junior meet from Sept 30-Oct 13 in Nanchang, China and are Malaysia’s best bet to win the title.
A good showing in the Taiwan tourney will give the youngsters a huge boost ahead of the world junior meet.
Aaron-Khai Xing, who were first combined in 2022, have developed into one of the best young pairs in the country and captured silver in the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta in July.
They also played an important role in the team’s bronze medal win in the mixed team event.
They were promoted to the senior squad last November and did not take long to justify the faith shown in them.
Aaron-Khai Xing captured their first senior title in the Thailand International Challenge in March and also shone in junior events, winning the Dutch Junior International and finishing runners-up in the German Juniors.
The pair broke into the world’s top 100 in June and recently reached a career high No. 75 in the rankings.
The 17-year-old Aaron and Khai Xing, 18, are now the fifth ranked men’s doubles pair in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) behind Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 3), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (16), Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian (19) and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (34).
The independent pairs ahead of Aaron-Khai Xing are world No. 12 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (23), Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (54), Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub (64) and Lau Yi Sheng-Lee Yi Bo (73).
On their partnership so far, Khai Xing said: “Aaron and I really trust each other and have a good understanding on court.”
“We have been playing together for almost two years now and we are happy with our progress as a pair so far.
“We want to improve and achieve more success together. We want to go as far as we can.”
Aaron and Khai Xing will open their campaign in the Taiwan Open against a qualifier tomorrow.
