KUALA LUMPUR: Gold medal hopefuls Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik squandered a brilliant opportunity to reach the Commonwealth Games final after crashing out in the semi-finals today.
The top-seeded Malaysians, who had a one-game lead, blew it away as they succumbed 18-21, 21-17, 21-4 to English duo Ben Lane-Sean Vendy.
The victory is Lane-Vendy's first over the world No 6 in four meetings.
The world No 19 pairing will face India's Thomas Cup winners Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in the final tomorrow.
The Indian pair dismantled another Malaysian combination, Chan Peng Soon-Tan Kian Meng, 21-6, 21-15 in the last four.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky was left speechless when contacted by Timesport.
"I have no words to describe what happened. Only they (Aaron-Wooi Yik) can answer this," lamented the former Olympics champion.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, dubbed nearly men for not having won an Open title, will play compatriots Peng Soon-Kian Meng in the bronze medal playoff later today.
Former Olympic silver medallists, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong were the last Malaysians to win the men's doubles gold, achieved at the 2014 edition in Glasgow.