KUALA LUMPUR: Men’s pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik appear to be still reeling from their World Championships quarter-final exit, as they crashed out in the first round of the Hong Kong Open today.
The world No. 2 shockingly fell to England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy 21-13, 21-13 at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
It was a surprising result given the Malaysian top seeds had led the head-to-head 5-2, although Vendy-Lane also came out on top in their last meeting at the Arctic Open in Finland last October.
This time, Vendy-Lane also had the advantage of “insider information” from Malaysia’s former national shuttler Tan Kian Meng, who has been coaching in England since July.
The defeat underlines the erratic form of world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik
Aaron–Wooi Yik this season.
While they have captured three titles from five finals, they have also endured inconsistency with five first-round exits, including at the Hong Kong Open.
National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi will be disappointed with Aaron-Wooi Yik’s early exit, as he had called for an improved showing from them in Hong Kong after their World Championships flop.
Instead of redemption in Hong Kong, former world champions and Olympic bronze medallists Aaron-Wooi Yik let down Herry in the very first round itself.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
