PETALING JAYA: There was more cheer for Malaysia at the Malaysia Open badminton tournament today when world No 6 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik moved into the last-16 of the men’s doubles competition.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had to labour for 58 minutes before overcoming the stubborn American world No 37 pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith 21-15, 16-21, 21-10 in their first round match at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Earlier today, national men’s doubles shuttlers Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi created a major upset when they came from behind to send Indonesia’s world No 4 pair Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto packing in the opening round.
The world No 24 pair, who lost the first game 15-21, came storming back to take the remaining two games 21-17, 21-13 in a pulsating match that lasted 62 minutes.
Aaron-Wooi Yik and Yew Sin-Ee Yi will be joined by Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the last-16 of the men’s doubles event.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura 21-12, 21-17 in the first round play yesterday.
The remaining Malaysians in the men’s doubles, Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, will be playing their opening tie against China’s Xie Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han later this evening.
