KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will once again have the chance to join the elite club of All England legends as they face Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the final at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, today.
In the 2019 edition, Aaron-Wooi Yik came close to clinching the title but were disappointed in the final, losing to former world champions Mohamad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia. However, the chances seem bright for Aaron-Wooi Yik, who are also former world champions, to win the prestigious title this time.
Based on the head-to-head record, world No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik have defeated defending champions Fajar-Rian four times in seven encounters.
Aaron-Wooi Yik's last victory was in 2023, when they defeated the Indonesians in the India Open semi-finals.
Today's final will also provide an opportunity for Aaron-Wooi Yik to end Malaysia's 17-year men's doubles title drought at the All England.
Former Asian Games champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the last Malaysians to win the title in 2007.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik struggled a bit in the first and second rounds but played well in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
"It's not an easy task facing Fajar-Rian, who are also defending champions.
"I hope Aaron-Wooi Yik can maintain the momentum and deliver a performance like they did in the quarter-finals and semi-finals," said BA of Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
Aaron-Wooi Yik reached the final after overcoming Taiwan's Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan 21-16, 21-15 in the semi-finals.
Fajar-Rian, on the other hand, advanced following a 21-18, 21-18 win over Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
The All England, a Super 1000-level tournament, offers a prize purse of US$1.3 million (RM6.1 million), with the men's doubles champions receiving US$96,200 (RM452,000).