PETALING JAYA: Malaysian men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King (pic) continued to impress in their new partnership by advancing to the second round of the French Open on Tuesday.
The world No. 95 pair, who won the Arctic Open in their first tournament together at the start of the month, outlasted American duo Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith in a hard-fought 51-minute match, winning 21-18, 18-21, 21-12 at the Arena Grand Paris.
The win over the world No. 30 pair is further proof that rankings are not the be-all and end-all for the 19-year-old Aaron and Roy King, 25.
However, they will need to carry forward this mindset in their second round match against top seeds Kim Won-ho-Seo Seong-jae of South Korea today, who will be looking for their fourth title of the year.
The world No. 1 pair made quick work at the start of their title defence after a 30-minute 21-12, 21-9 victory over Japan’s Hiroki Okamura-Kyohei Yamashita.
In other action, sixth seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also advanced to the second round after a gruelling 51-minute victory over Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer.
The world No. 5 pair dropped the second game but secured a 21-17, 19-21, 21-17 win.
They will next face another Danish obstacle in the form of world No. 12 Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard.
The Danes hold a psychological edge, having won their last two encounters against Sze Fei-Izzuddin, including a victory at the Malaysian Masters final in May.
