AARON-WOOI YIK ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Duo get ticket from BWF to Nanjing
IT HAS been a dream season for Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, and the national men’s doubles pair don’t feel like waking up from it. Especially after learning of their last minute inclusion for the World Championships in Nanjing, China (July 30-Aug 5).
Boosted by the ticket to the world meet, Aaron-Wooi Yik charged into the second round of the Singapore Open yesterday after seeing off India’s Mandiraju Anilkumar Raju-Venkat Gaurav Prasad 21-16, 2116 in the opening stage.
The young Malaysian duo, who were only paired together last November, now believe they can take on the world.
Aaron said: “This whole season has been like a dream to us. We have reached three finals, debuted at the Thomas Cup in May and now this (World Championships).
“Wooi Yik and I had no clue, we never saw it coming. I think the key to our success is our age. Since we are still young, we don’t feel the pressure.
“As a result, we take to the court determined to upset higher ranked pairs, and so far we have been doing a good job,”
Following several last minute withdrawals, the BAM were notified of AaronWooi Yik’s inclusion by the BWF late on Monday.
Despite having to pay a fine of US$1,250 (RM5,070), BAM withdrew the world No 47 pair from next week’s Russia Open. Earlier this year, BAM had also withdrawn them from the US and Canada Opens.
“I was so happy that I called my family immediately to inform them that Aaron and I are going to the World Championships.
“Our confidence is now at a high and we hope to make full use of it by giving our best here in Singapore.
“If we want people to take notice of us at the world meet, we must be of a certain standard,” added Wooi Yik.
Aaron, 21 and Wooi Yik, 20, will take on Indonesia’s Angga Pratama-Rian Agung Saputro today, for a place in tomorrow’s quarter-finals.
Meanwhile in the men’s singles, professional shuttlers Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng, also did well to clear the Singapore Open first round.
Daren, who is also bound for the world meet, upset third seed Vincent Wong of Hong Kong 21-14, 21-16, and will face Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa next.
Wei Feng defeated Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-16, 12-21, 2220, only to face another Thai Pannawit Thongnuam in the second round.
Also reaching the second round on Wednesday were women’s doubles pair Goh Yea Ching-Vivian Hoo, who notched a 21-16, 21-19 win over Singapore’s Lim Ming Hui-Yao Lei.
The Malaysian scratch pair are up against fourth seeds Chayanit ChaladchalamPhataimas Muenwong of Thailand next.