PETALING JAYA: World junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing are bracing for a stern test in the second round of the Orleans Masters today.
The world No. 26 duo will face Denmark’s world No. 87 Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer at the Palais des Sports in France, in what promises to be a closely fought encounter.
Although the Malaysians won their only previous meeting, they were pushed to the brink before prevailing in a tight three-game battle in the Indian International last November.
Aaron-Khai Xing made a solid start earlier by beating Russia’s Rodian Alimov and Maksim Ogloblin 21–11, 21–17 in the opening round on Tuesday.
This tournament presents another opportunity for the fast-rising pair to strengthen their case for a place in Malaysia’s squad for the upcoming Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark from April 24-May 3.
Aaron-Khai Xing have enjoyed a strong run of form in recent weeks, highlighted by a sensational upset of world No. 4 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in the opening round of the All England, before their campaign ended against China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi in the last 16.
They maintained that momentum at last week’s Swiss Open, notching impressive victories over Indonesia’s Rian Ardianto-Rahmat Hidayat, as well as Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana, before their run was halted in the quarter-finals by Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard.
Meanwhile, it was mixed fortunes for the Malaysians in other events.
National women’s doubles pair Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting booked their spots in the second round after securing a comfortable 21-7, 21-10 victory over home pair Emmy Guilbard-Anouk Nambot.
Xin Yee-Carmen will next take on Lauren Lam-Allison Quynh Lee of United States for a place in the quarter-finals.
However, independent mixed doubles pair Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien bowed out in the opening round after a 17-21, 4-21 defeat to Japan’s Akira Koga-Natsu Saito.
