PETALING JAYA: Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King may have bowed out in the third round of the World Championships in New Delhi, but their performances showed they are still a partnership worth keeping together.
After spending a month apart with different partners, Arif-Roy King made an encouraging return together despite not being given much of a chance at the tournament.
They came close to pulling off a major upset against world No. 5 and home favourites Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in their battle for a quarter-final spot at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Thursday.
The Malaysians pushed the Indian pair all the way before a few costly mistakes proved decisive in a 23-21, 19-21, 17-21 defeat after a gruelling 82-minute battle.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky felt Arif-Roy King had carried out their game plan well but failed to control their emotions under pressure towards the closing stages.
That allowed Rankireddy-Shetty to take advantage and deny the Malaysians a first victory over them in five meetings.
“Roy King and Arif played the right way. The Indian pair just had a little more hunger to win,” said Rexy.
“They had their chances, but they needed to be a bit braver and really go for them.”
Arif-Roy King will now split up again, with Arif set to reunite with Kang Khai Xing while Roy King will partner Tee Kai Wun at the China Masters.
Rexy also provided an update on Kai Wun, who has yet to fully recover after suffering from diarrhoea just hours before he was due to face Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik on Thursday.
Kai Wun and Man Wei Chong were forced to withdraw from their third round clash, handing their compatriots a walkover into the quarter-finals.
“He ordered some food yesterday (Thursday) and fell asleep straight after eating.
“He later had diarrhoea and was still running a fever this morning (yesterday),” added Rexy.
