In control: Aaron Chia-Soh Woi Yik in action against Indonesia’s Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza during the quarter-final match. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik turned on the style to storm into the Malaysian Open semi-finals for the first time in four years.
The 2022 world champions produced a rousing display to defeat Indonesia’s world No. 8 Sabar Gutama–Moh Reza 21-19, 21-10 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who made the last four in 2022, brushed aside an unfavourable head-to-head record, having won just once in their previous five meetings, by showing composure to edge a tight first game before blowing their opponents away in the second to seal victory in just 34 minutes.
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.
The world No. 2 pair ensured that Malaysia will be represented in the semi-finals after all others fell in the quarter-finals.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will take on another Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri today for a place in the final.
Aaron was pleased with his performance with Wooi Yik and hopes to continue their fine run.
“I feel happy with our performance today (yesterday). The fans made us more confident,” said Aaron.
“We didn’t think about our previous matches against the Indonesians. We still have a match to play tomorrow (today), so we want to stay focused. We hope to keep this momentum going.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik now have an opportunity to end Malaysia’s eight-year wait for a finalist in the competition.
2018 men’s singles champion Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei was the last Malaysian to reach the home Open final.
Based on the head-to-head records, Fajar-Shohibul will start as favourites after beating Aaron-Wooi Yik twice in their past three meetings.
The latter though did come out on top in their last clash in the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last month and will have the passionate home fans cheering them on this time.
On facing Fajar-Fikri, Aaron said: “They are not an easy pair to play against. We played against them two weeks ago in the Tour Finals. We need to prepare well and be ready to face them again.”
