AARON-WOOI YIK CREATE SURPRISE, OUST CHINA PAIR
Heading should read: ‘AARON-WOOI YIK CREATE SURPRISE, OUST CHINA PAIR
KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik pulled of a stunning upset when they ousted a top, experienced pair from China to advance to the semi-finals of this year’s All England badminton championship in Birmingham early this morning (Saturday).
Fielded as underdogs, Aaron-Wooi Yik were not under any pressure but managed to put up a convincing performance against World No 12 Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan in the quarter-finals at the Birmingham Arena.
In the first set, Aaron-Wooi Yik carried out waves of attacks and cleverly controlled the match to unsettle the China pair and take the first game 21-19.
Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan then bounced back in the second game to win 21-17 and drag the match to the third, deciding game.
Somewhat shaken by Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan’s recovery. the national pair managed to recover their poise, and showed consistency to win the third game 21-12.
The World No 18 pair who had created a surprise by advancing to the 2018 edition of the world championship semi-finals, will face Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, national men’s doubles coach Paulus Firman praised Aaron-Wooi Yik who did not give up at all after losing in the second set but were quick to control the game in the decider.
‘’They played well with the right match strategy and took the initiative to attack first. It was only in the second game, in the last six points, (that) the opponents’ defence was rock solid, it was difficult to disrupt them and there was a bit of impatience too.
‘’But they were good, they quickly got their game back on track in the third set to take the win,’’ said Paulus when contacted earlier today (Saturday).
On their semi-final encounter against tough opponents from Indonesia, Paulus said Aaron-Wooi Yik must stay focused and should not feel complacent after advancing to the semi-finals,’’ he added.
Earlier, Fajar-Muhammad Rian, who were also silver medalists at the 2018 Asian Games, beat another national doubles pair, professionals Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong 22-20, 21-12 in another quarter-finals match.