KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s French Open campaign came to an end in the semi-finals after they were outplayed 21-14, 21-19 by Indonesia’s fast-rising combination Fajar Alfian-Shobihul Fikri on Saturday.
It was the world No. 2’s second defeat in as many meetings with the Indonesians, who have quickly emerged as one of the most formidable new pairings on the World Tour since joining forces in July.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who also reached the semi-finals in 2021, had been bidding for a seventh final appearance this season and a fourth title following triumphs at the Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open.
Aaron admitted it was another match decided by small margins.
“I think it’s more on our consistency – still a lot of unforced errors,” lamented Aaron.
Asked what makes Fajar-Shobihul difficult opponents, Wooi Yik said their freshness and unpredictability give them an edge.
“I think they are quite new to the game, so people are still not knowing how to overcome that situation,” he said.
“They are slowly adapting their game because they are new, so I think there’s nothing too much to worry about. We’ll keep analysing and keep playing to know how to play these guys.”
Fajar-Shobihul will feature in their fourth final of the season when they take on world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae on Sunday, chasing a second title after their China Open success in July also at the expense of Aaron-Wooi Yik.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
