Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing
PETALING JAYA: Fatigue clearly took its toll on men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing as they failed to claim a third consecutive title, losing in the Odisha Masters final in India on Sunday (Dec 14).
In the final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, the former World Junior runners-up went down to Indonesia’s Ali Faathir and Devin Artha 21-15, 12-21, 16-21 in 56 minutes.
Despite the defeat, men’s doubles coach Chang Kim Wai felt the pair had given their all, noting that it is not easy to remain consistent and reach three finals in three consecutive weeks.
"For me, it is already impressive that they have managed to stay in form and reach the final for three weeks in a row.
"In the match, you could see their level drop in the third game, and when you are fatigued, it is hard to maintain focus," Kim Wai said when contacted.
Aaron-Khai Xing had been in top form, having won the Guwahati Masters last week and impressed at the Syed Modi International the week before.
In the women’s doubles final, Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee also fell short, losing to top seeds and Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva 19-21, 14-21 in 39 minutes.
RESULTS
Men's singles: Kiran George (Ind) bt Muhammad Yusuf 21-14, 13-21, 21-16.
Men's doubles: Ali Faathir-Devin Artha (Ina) bt Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (Mas) 15-21, 21-12, 21-16.
Women's singles: Unnati Hooda (Ind) bt Isharani Baruah (Ind) 21-17, 21-10.
Women's doubles: Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva (Bul) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting (Mas) 21-19, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Marwan Faza-Aisyah Salsabila (Ina) bt Dejan Ferdinansyah-Bernandine Wardana 21-15, 21-10.
