KUALA LUMPUR: Reigning world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik squandered a glorious chance to make it an all-Malaysian affair in the semi-finals tomorrow after being sent packing by Indonesia's Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin.
What made their exit even more disappointing was that they were defeated 21-18, 21-19 by the rivals they had beaten in five of their previous six encounters.
Had they made it to the last four, it could have assured the host of at least one pair in the men's doubles final on Sunday.
Compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun had earlier scored a sensational upset over three-time world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan.
A quarter-final outing is certainly not good enough given Aaron-Wooi Yik's reputation as the current world No 2.
They were also the semi-finalists of last year's tournament.
The latest poor result meant that Aaron-Wooi Yik have not managed to make it past the last eight for the fifth successive tournament.
The home fans will now count on Wei Chong-Kai Wun to pull another surprise against world No 9 Leo-Daniel.
The two pairs have not met before.