PETALING JAYA: It will be a clash of experience with youth when shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik take on junior teammates Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing in the Indian Open men’s doubles first round in New Delhi today.
Malaysian Open runners-up Aaron-Wooi Yik were initially supposed to play South Korean veterans Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang in their opening match but the latter’s withdrawal meant that Aaron-Khai Xing have been promoted to the main draw from the reserves list.
The world No. 36 and 2024 world junior champions will be making their debuts in a World Tour Super 750 competition.
While Aaron-Khai Xing will start as the underdogs against their seniors and national No. 1 duo, doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky hopes his charges will gain valuable experience in the tournament.
“It’s good that Aaron-Khai Xing can get to play at Super 750 level. I hope they will get good experience from this chance,” said Rexy.
This will be the first meeting between both the pairs in an international competition.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are coming into the clash in fine form after reaching the final of the home Open for the first time.
The pair came close to capturing the title before going down fighting 15-21, 21-12, 18-21 to South Korea’s world No. 1 and reigning world champions Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on Sunday.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are out to continue their form in India where they are again seeded second behind Seung-jae-Won-ho.
Meanwhile, Aaron-Khai Xing, who are both 19, will be playing in their first tournament of the year after a good end to 2025.
The pair triumphed in the Super 300 Syed Modi India International, Malaysia Super 100 and Guwahati Masters and finished runners-up in the Odisha Masters last month.
Despite the tough challenge in the Indian tourney, Aaron-Khai Xing will be keen to make an impression as they look to step up in higher level events this year.
The winners of the match between the youngsters and Aaron-Wooi Yik will face either teammates Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi or Japan’s Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami in the second round.
