PETALING JAYA: Even seeded players can lose early, and there’s no reason to panic.
Former national shuttler Roslin Hashim believes that the early exit of world No. 2 men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik from the Japan Open on Wednesday should not come as a shock, despite the high expectations placed on them to go far in the tournament.
Roslin said there could be various reasons behind Aaron-Wooi Yik’s below-par performance, but at the same time, he saw a silver lining in the result, as their defeat came at the hands of fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who had been struggling for form over the past seven months.
Until now, the 2021 World Championships bronze medallists had not cleared the opening round of a tournament since the India Open in January.
In the first-round match at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Aaron-Wooi Yik fell to Yew Sin-Ee Yi 15-21, 15-21 in just 32 minutes.
Roslin, who won the Japan Open in 2001, said such results were part and parcel of the sport, but what mattered most would be on how the Asian champions would respond, especially with many tournaments still to come.
“I believe both pairs were well prepared, but perhaps on match day, Yew Sin was more fired up as the tournament was held in his wife’s hometown. That may have given him extra motivation to put on a stronger performance.
Yew Sin tied the knot with Japanese Aya Ohori last month.
“To me, it’s normal for seeded players to suffer early exits, especially when it’s an all-Malaysian clash. I understand many were disappointed, especially since there were high hopes for Aaron and Wooi Yik to win.
Still, Roslin believes the defeat will not affect Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s focus ahead of the China Open, which begins next Tuesday in Changzhou.
The world No. 2 pair are the second seeds and will open their campaign against rising Danish duo Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard.
“I don’t think their confidence will be shaken. They are experienced players and they certainly know how to bounce back from setbacks, having done it before.”
