KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s doubles duo Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik overcame a tense opening-round scare at the Malaysia Open 2025, recovering from a mid-match slump to claim their second-round place by eliminating American pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith last night.
Fifth seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik got off their season opener campaign in Axiata Arena to a bright start by taking the first set 21-15 but they seemed to lose focus in the second set – allowing Zhi Yi-Smith to tie the score after losing 16-21.
However, the world number six pair quickly found their groove as they stormed into the second round with a commanding 21-10 win, in 57 minutes.
Wooi Yik said their struggle to adapt to a strong draught could be the factor they lost in the second set.
“In the second set we had to face the draught and the opponent’s attack was very strong,” he told reporters in the mixed zone.
Taiwanese pair Lee Fang-Chih-Lee Fang-Jen, who got past compatriots Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han, 21-16, 21-12, await Aaron-Wooi Yik in the next round.
Professional men’s doubles duo Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong became the seventh and last Malaysian representatives to earn a second-round spot following a rubber-set victory against Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han from China, 21-15, 12-21, 21-18 in a one-hour bout.
A tough challenge awaits the world number 32 pair tomorrow as they will take on seventh seeds from India, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, who triumphed against Ming Che Lu-Tang Kai-Wei of Taiwan, 21-10, 16-21, 21-5.
Meanwhile, national young women’s doubles pair, Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting failed to make a mark in their first Malaysia Open appearance, as they succumbed to Sung Shuo Yun-Yu Chien Hui of Taiwan, 15-21, 15-21.
In the second round, Aaron-Wooi Yik and Nur Azriyn-Wee Kiong will join two other Malaysian men’s doubles duos Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun followed by two mixed doubles pairs Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie as well as professional women’s doubles duo Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien. – January 9, 2025