Sheer joy: Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik reach the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
BUKIT JALIL: World No. 2 men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik lifted the spirits of the national badminton camp by becoming Malaysia’s sole representative to reach the semi-finals of the home Open in style.
They lead from the start to beat Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Pahlevi at the Axiata Arena on Friday (Jan 9).
The quarter-final clash saw Aaron-Wooi Yik carry a heavy burden, following earlier defeats by fellow Malaysians Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun at the hands of their respective opponents.
However, Aaron-Wooi Yik stepped up and did not disappoint the thousands of home fans, overcoming the Indonesian pair 21-19, 21-10 in a 34 minute battle.
The victory was made even sweeter as it avenged their disappointment in the gold medal match against Sabar-Reza at last month’s SEA Games in Thailand.
Waiting for them in the semi-finals is another Indonesian pair, Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.
