PETALING JAYA: National men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing are a promising pair but they would have to wait longer to earn their right to play in the Thomas Cup Finals.
Doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said it was not their time to play in the big stage after Aaron-Khai Xing crashed out in the second round of the Orleans Masters at the Palais des Sports in France on Thursday.
“It is not the right time for them to play in the Thomas Cup yet,” Herry said.
“They still need experience at higher-level tournaments before being considered for Thomas Cup selection.
“Maybe in the next two years, they will be ready to be fielded.”
With Aaron-Khai Xing out of the running, the third Thomas Cup doubles spot will be contested between independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and the national duo Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King.
Final selection will be based on their performances at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, from April 7-12.
World No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and No. 6 pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have already secured their places.
Aaron-Khai Xing however, can still hold their heads high after completing their Europe stint by winning against some high-ranked pairs.
In Orleans, the world No. 26 duo went down 17-21, 13-21 in just 32 minutes to Denmark’s world 87 Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer.
They were favored to win, given their higher ranking and a previous tough-fought victory over the Danes at the Indian International last November.
Aaron-Khai Xing had been in strong form recently, highlighted by a stunning first-round upset of world No. 4 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India at the All England, before bowing out in the last 16 to China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi.
Their momentum continued at last week’s Swiss Open, where they defeated Indonesia’s Rian Ardianto-Rahmat Hidayat and Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana, only to be stopped in the quarter-finals by Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard.
It was also all over for the others players as Justin Hoh (men’s singles), Wong Ling Ching (women’s singles), Carmen Ting-, failed to clear their second round matches.
RESULTS
SECOND ROUND
(Malaysians unless stated)
Men’s singles: Su Li-yang (Tpe) bt Justin Hoh 16-21, 21-17, 22-20.
Men’s doubles: Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer (Den) bt Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing 21-17, 21-13.
Women’s singles: Malvika Bansod (Ind) bt Wong Ling Ching 24-22, 21-13.
Women’s doubles: Lauren Lam-Allison Lee (Aus) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting 21-23, 21-18, 22-20.
