PETALING JAYA: It has been more than two decades since Malaysia last claimed the men’s doubles title at the French Open, with Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat standing as the last local champions in 2004.
Can the long-standing drought finally come to an end?
With three Malaysian pairs – Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (pic), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani advancing to the quarter-finals at the Grand Arena Paris on Thursday, the nation has its best opportunity in years to reclaim the coveted title.
Following the passing of Teik Chai in 2023 at the age of 40, a victory in Paris would serve as a fitting and deeply meaningful tribute from the current generation of players to a national great.
Either Aaron-Wooi Yik or Wei Chong-Kai Wun will at least reach the semi-finals as they take on each other in the quarters.
World No. 4 Aaron-Wooi Yik advanced after their Thai opponents, Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, conceded a walkover while world No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun overcame former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in a hard-fought 25-23, 21-14 victory.
Sixth seeds Sze Fei-Izzuddin also progressed, defeating Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard 21-6, 14-21, 21-18 but will have a tougher job against South Korea’s Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae, who knocked out Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King in the second round.
Former world champions Aaron-Wooi Yik have come closest to winning the title last year when they reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.
