KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are undaunted by the challenge ahead as they prepare to face the world’s most formidable men’s doubles pair, Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae, in today’s Malaysian Open final.
Aaron and Wooi Yik lifted Malaysian spirits by emerging as the country’s sole representatives in the final after defeating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Shohibul Fikri 23-21, 21-18 in a 51-minute semi-final yesterday.
They had earlier beaten Indonesia’s SEA Games champions Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza 21-19, 21-10 in the quarter-finals on Friday.
The last-four victory, however, was especially meaningful for Aaron-Wooi Yik, as it marked their first appearance in a Malaysian Open final after years of trying.
As such, they are determined not to let the opportunity slip away, even against Won-ho and Seung-jae, who are the defending champions.
Aaron acknowledged that the South Korean duo pose a serious threat after dominating the BWF World Tour last year, but he also pointed out that he and Wooi Yik have beaten them before, most notably in the Singapore Open final last June.
“Of course we’re happy to make the final. After last year’s Malaysia Masters, this is the second time we’ve reached a final on home soil. It’s an achievement, but there’s still one more step to go tomorrow, so we’re staying focused.
Full focus: South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae in action against England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open.— MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
“We haven’t played them for quite some time. Last year, they were really on fire, but this year it will be our first meeting, so we don’t really know what to expect. They look solid and so do we. I see it as a 50-50 match, but we do have a slight advantage playing at home,” said Wooi Yik.
Aaron’s comments were backed up by the fact that Won-ho and Seung-jae also had to work hard to reach the final after being pushed by England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy before winning 8-21, 21-11, 21-18.
Today’s final also presents Aaron and Wooi Yik with a chance to clinch their first Super 1000 title after several near misses in the past.
Should they succeed, the national pair would also end Malaysia’s 12-year wait for a men’s doubles title at the Malaysian Open, last achieved by Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah in 2014.
“I think the pressure is definitely there, so we’re just trying to enjoy this match. We just want to show our best game, one match at a time.
“To be honest, we’re not thinking too much about winning every match because the expectations are very high. Aaron and I are just doing our best and enjoying the game.
“We’ve been playing for a long time, and maybe there have been many expectations that were not met, but we still enjoy every match.
‘‘People can see that in every match we give our best and put everything we have into it. For me, that is enough,” said Wooi Yik.
