PETALING JAYA: Giantkillers Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing are all hyped up to continue their impressive runs at the Japan Open but will face their toughest tests yet in the men’s doubles quarter-finals today.
Aaron-Khai Xing announced themselves by upsetting world No. 8 Chen Boyang-Liu Yi of China in the opening round before easing past Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan 21-10, 21-15 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.
The duo have a daunting task ahead against world No. 1 and defending champions Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in the men’s doubles.
The pair credited their success to their game plan.
“We’re very happy with today’s win because I think we prepared really well for the match,” Khai Xing told the BWF.
“Our strength was controlling the first three shots, as well as serving and receiving serve effectively.”
Also advancing to the quarter-finals were last year’s runners-up Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani after they defeated former world No. 1 pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark 21-18, 21-19.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will face either Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard or the United States’ Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith for a place in the semi-finals.
Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin have also been Malaysia’s standout performers in Tokyo after another strong showing yesterday.
Jimmy-Su Yin stunned France’s sixth seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue 23-21, 24-22, a day after knocking out Japan’s world No. 14 pair Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in the first round before.
They will be out to claim another major scalp when they take on Denmark’s world No. 3 pair Mathias Christiansen-Alexandra Boje in the mixed doubles.
Jimmy said staying mentally composed made the difference in the tight contest.
“At the crucial moments, it all comes down to courage and mental strength. I knew Su Yin was a little nervous today, so I kept reminding both her and myself to stay focused on every point.
“Don’t think too much, just play our best. That’s how we kept ourselves calm,” said Jimmy to BWF.
RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
SECOND ROUND
Men’s singles: Christo Popov (Fra) bt Leong Jun Hao 16-21, 21-11, 21-17.
Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den) 21-18, 21-19; Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan (Tpe) 21-10, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin bt Thom Giquel-Delphine Delrue (Fra) 23-21, 24-22; Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin (Chn) bt Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 21-14, 21-7.
