KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s challenge at the Malaysia Open ended tonight after No 1 men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were ousted in the semifinals.
The sixth-ranked pair’s plans for a surprise against 2021 world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi failed to materialise when they went down 23-21, 21-9 at the Axiata Arena.
They failed to seize their chances in the first game despite giving a tough fight and leading 18-14 at one point, while the second game saw the Japanese duo dominate from the start.
The defeat for Aaron-Wooi Yik, who are also the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists, means their maiden Badminton World Federation (BWF) Tour title remains elusive for the pair.
The only men’s doubles title (excluding team events) Aaron-Wooi Yik have won so far is the 2019 SEA Games gold medal in the Philippines.
They have lost in the finals of six World Tours, including the 2019 All England and 2020 Thailand Open.
“We were leading during the crucial points in the first game, but the same problem always happens. We have to address it,” Aaron told reporters.
They advanced to the semifinals after beating Indonesian veteran pair Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan 21-13, 20-22, 21-19 yesterday.
Earlier, another national men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani lost 14-21, 12-21 to world No 7 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto from Indonesia.
The last time Malaysia won the men’s doubles title at the Malaysia Open was in 2014 when Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah emerged champions.
