PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik survived a tough match to secure their spot in the Thailand Open's second round.
World No. 5 Aaron and Wooi Yik were pushed to the limit by world No. 56 French pair Julien Maio and William Villeger. They used their experience to win 22-24, 21-19, 21-15 in 62 minutes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on Wednesday (May 15).
The reigning Asian champions will face Japan's world No. 36 Hiroki Midorikawa and Kyohei Yamashita next for a place in the last eight.
World No. 7 Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun also reached the second round after easily defeating teammates Mohd Haikal Nazri and Choong Hon Jian 21-10, 21-11.
Wei Chong and Kai Wun will face Denmark's William Kryger and Christian Faust next.
There was more good news for Malaysia in the men's doubles as Yap Roy King and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi set up an all-Malaysian second-round clash against world junior champions Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing.
Roy King and Arif fought hard to beat India's Roy Pruthvi and K. Sai Pratheek 22-20, 17-21, 21-18. Aaron and Khai Xing came from behind to overcome Thailand's Pharanyu Kaosamaang and Tanadon Punpanich 12-21, 21-13, 21-15.
It was the end of the road for world No. 45 Justin Hoh in the men's singles after he lost 19-21, 16-21 to India's world No. 51 Tharun Mannepalli.
