In control: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in action against Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik could not contain their joy after helping to end the country’s 12-year wait for a home winner in the men’s doubles in the Malaysian Masters.
A day before the final, the title is already assured for Malaysia after Aaron-Wooi Yik set up a showdown against teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who captured the Thailand Open last week, continued their great form by battling past Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-19, 17-21, 21-15 in a thrilling last four match at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Earlier, world No. 8 Wei Chong-Kai Wun had smashed into the final after a sensational 21-12, 21-14 victory over Japan’s 2021 world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
While both the Malaysian pairs were delighted to reach the final in front of the passionate home fans, Aaron-Wooi Yik felt the achievement was more meaningful as it assured the men’s doubles title for the country after Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah were the last home winners in 2013.
“We are happy to reach the final and we want to win tomorrow (today) but the most important thing is the title is already confirmed for Malaysia,” said Aaron.
“The first game was key for us against the Danes today (yesterday). They were leading all the way but at the crucial stages, we were braver and this helped us to win.
“Home advantage was important for us as the fans’ support boosted us and put pressure on our opponents.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik are aiming to make it three titles in just two months after also capturing the Asian Championships last month.
Meanwhile, Wei Chong-Kai Wun are out to win their second crown this year after triumphing in the Indonesian Masters in January. On the match against their teammates, Aaron said: “We train with them every day, so perhaps it will be similar to one of our training sessions.
“We just want to put on a good show for the supporters. We need to rest well first as it’s not easy to play in back-to-back finals.”
Based on the head-to-head records, both Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun are evenly matched as both pairs have two wins each against each other.
The latter are keen to go one better after finishing runners-up to South Korea’s Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae in the 2023 edition.
“We are gaining in confidence and we want to maintain our performance,” said Kai Wun.
“It will be great if we can win the title but the most important thing is to keep improving our performance.”
