It’s all going well for duo
Aaron-Wooi Yik prove they are not here to make up the numbers
FEARLESS and formidable.
National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik showed they are indeed made of sterner stuff when they stormed into the men’s doubles second round at the World Championships.
The world No. 35 justified their last minute inclusion in the world meet squad by outplaying higher-ranked Chung Eui-seok-Kim Dukyoung of South Korea 21-15, 21-18 to cruise into the second round at the Youth Olympic Sports Park Arena yesterday.
The world No. 28 Eui-seok-Duk-young were the pair who sent Rio Olympic silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong packing in the first round of the world meet in Glasgow last year.
“I think I have to pinch myself, it feels like a dream,” said Aaron.
“It was just two weeks ago we earned a last minute entry due to withdrawals and now we’re here today making it to the second round.
“But we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground and not get carried away,” said Aaron.
Wooi Yik said he and Aaron were able to turn in a top display because of their excitement.
“I thought we played superb today,” said Wooi Yik.
“We felt the excitement more than the pressure and I think that’s the key to our solid per- formance today.”
Aaron-Wooi Yik want to continue their winning ways when they take on Lee Yang-Lee Jhehuei of Taiwan next.
They have beaten the world No. 11 during the second round of the Thailand Open and believes they have what it takes to repeat it.
“The confidence is there. We took them down before and this is a chance for us to prove our earlier win against them was no fluke,” said Aaron.
Wooi Yik echoed the sentiment, saying that they stood an equal chance against the potential opponents en route to the quarter-finals.
“Although it’s only our debut, we intend to make it to the quarter-finals. It looks achievable based on the draw,” chipped in Wooi Yik.
“Another motivation is that we are eager to make it an-all Malaysian quarter-finals as our seniors (V Shem-Wee Kiong and Ong Yew SinTeo Ee Yi) are all in the same quarter. If that happens, we are assured of a pair in the last four.”
Malaysia are already guaranteed of a place in the third round after Ee Yi-Yew Sin easily cleared their opening hurdle to set up a second clash against V Shem-Wee Kiong after whipping India’s Arjun M.R.-Ramchandran Shlok 21-14 21-15.