PETALING JAYA: Difficult, but not impossible.
Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King are just one win away from becoming the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to win the Japan Masters, but they face a stern test against former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in today’s final.
The odds appear stacked against the Malaysians, with the Japanese pair enjoying home support at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium and holding a significant advantage in the world rankings.
Hoki-Kobayashi are ranked world No. 10, while Aaron-Roy King, who only joined forces last month, are No. 57.
The Japanese duo have also been a difficult opponent for Malaysia’s senior pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, winning nine of their 13 meetings.
However, Aaron-Wooi Yik beat them in the first round of last month’s Denmark Open, while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also defeated the Japanese pair in the second round of the French Open a week later before going on to win the title.
Those results could offer valuable pointers for Malaysia’s coaching team as they work out a game plan for Aaron-Roy King.
Men’s doubles coach Chang Kim Wai, who is accompanying the pair in Kumamoto, will consult national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi before deciding on the best approach.
“I will see what coaches Herry and Rexy have to say about tomorrow’s (today’s) match,” said Kim Wai when contacted.
Aaron-Roy King booked their place in the final by beating Denmark’s Mads Vestergaard-Daniel Lundgaard 21-18, 21-18 in yesterday’s semi-finals.
They became the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to reach the Japan Masters final since the tournament began in 2023.
Kim Wai admitted it was a tough match, particularly against the world No. 14 Danes, who had already eliminated two other Malaysian pairs – Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub in the first round and Wei Chong-Kai Wun in the second.
“If they had panicked even a little or lost their focus, it would have been difficult for them to win.
“But both of them stayed really focused and played well. The Danish pair caused a lot of problems at the net,” he added.
