KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will go head-to-head with compatriots and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in an explosive all-Malaysian quarter-final clash at the China Open on Friday — guaranteeing the country a spot in the men’s doubles semi-finals.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun booked their place in the last eight after battling past compatriots and world No. 25 Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 17-21, 21-17, 21-19 in a tense 57-minute encounter in Changzhou on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Aaron-Wooi Yik saw off France’s world No. 20 Christo-Toma Junior Popov 21-17, 21-18 to set up the mouthwatering domestic showdown.
The quarter-final will be a rematch of the Malaysia Masters final in May, where Wei Chong-Kai Wun stunned the Olympic bronze medallists to lift the Super 500 crown.
The two pairs have met six times on the World Tour, with honours even at three wins apiece.
The Popov brothers gave Aaron-Wooi Yik a nervy start and led 15-10 in the opening game, but the Malaysians raised their tempo to wrest back control.
“We increased our tempo and speed when the Frenchmen were leading, after we realised we couldn’t dominate the front court,” said Wooi Yik.
“It’s a good lesson for us, and we also need to adapt to the draught in the hall more quickly ahead of the quarter-final.”
Malaysia will have a third men’s doubles pair in the quarter-finals — world No. 28 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, who will take on India’s world No. 12 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty on Friday.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
