KUALA LUMPUR: A South Korean scratch pair will again be in Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's way in the Indonesia Masters quarter-finals, but it will not be Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae.
Won Ho has switched partners again and this time, he is combining with Kang Min Myuk in Jakarta.
South Korea's current experiments with their men's doubles have kept their rivals guessing as new pairs are being tried out in the last few tournaments.
Won Ho-Seung Jae won the Malaysia Open and finished runners-up at the India Open last week. They also beat world No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yin in straight games in the semi-final in New Delhi.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, who defeated Taiwan's world No. 39 Lu Ming Che-Tang Kai Wei 21-16, 21-16 in a 36-minute second round clash in the Indonesia Masters, will have to re-strategise against yet another fresh combination from South Korea.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky said every South Korean pair are capable of challenging the established pairs.
"Any scratch pair from South Korea are strong. So, Aaron-Wooi Yik must be really focused," said Rexy.
Min Hyuk-Won Ho overcame Indonesia's world No. 31 Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin 21-19, 21-19 in a second round match.
Aaron-Wooi Yik did play Min hyuk-Won Ho once — six years ago where the Koreans won in three games. However, Min Hyuk has been partnering Seung Jae after that where they won the 2023 world title while Min Hyuk started focusing more on the mixed doubles and won a silver medal with Jeong Na Eun at the Paris Olympics last year.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's world No. 13 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun reached the Indonesia Masters quarter-finals after beating Taiwan's world No. 19 Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen 23-21, 21-13.