National men’s doubles shuttlers Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing are on a roll.
The reigning world junior champions stunned top seeds Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy-Sai Praitheek of India 21-13, 21-18 in the final in just 29 minutes to lift the Guwahati Masters to further cement their status as one of Malaysia’s most promising new men’s doubles pairs.
It was their second title in two weeks after winning the Syed Modi International.
The world No. 46 Aaron-Khai Xing will now have a chance to win their third when they get into action in the Odisha Masters in Cuttack, India, starting tomorrow. They will play against Thailand’s Pongsakorn Thongkham-Wongsathorn Thongkam in the first round.
Aaron-Khai Xing’s triumph in Guwahati was enough to maintain Malaysia’s hold on the men’s doubles crown at the tournament since its inception in 2023, following in the footsteps of Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri and Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao.
National men’s doubles coach Chang Kim Wai hopes the duo can finish 2025 on a high note.
"I definitely want them to win. I try to give them lots of encouragement and motivation. I can see they are very enthusiastic, and if I notice their focus slipping, I remind them constantly. That’s what I did during the final yesterday," said Kim Wai.
Earlier this year, Aaron and Khai Xing faced challenges adapting to the senior squad after their promotion.
The pair’s inconsistent performances even led men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi to consider the possibility of splitting them.
Meanwhile, the national team had the chance to claim a double crown in Guwahati, but women’s doubles pair Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting fell to Indonesia’s Isyana Syahira-Rinjani Kwinnara 17-21, 21-23 in yesterday’s final.
RESULTS
FINALS
Men's singles: Sanskar Saraswat (Ind) bt Mithun Manjunath (Ind) 21-11, 17-21, 21-13.
Men's doubles: Aaron Tai-Khang Khai Xing (Mas) bt Pruthvi Krishnamurthy-Sai Pratheek (Ind) 21-13, 21-18.
Women's singles: Tung Ciou-tong (Tpe) bt Tanvi Sharma (Ind) 21-18, 21-18.
Women's doubles: Isyana Syahira-Rinjani Kwinnara (Ina) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting (Mas) 21-17, 23-21.
Mixed doubles: Marwan Faza-aisyah Salsabila (Ina) bt Tanadon Punpanich-Fungfa Korpthammakit (Tha) 21-14, 21-16.
