KUALA LUMPUR: The South Koreans like to play with scratch pairs, which often leaves their opponents scratching their heads.
Men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik knew they had to figure out something to overcome Kang Min Hyuk-Kim Won Ho in the Indonesia Masters quarter-final in Jakarta today.
The Malaysians had good reason to be wary, having lost to another Korean combo, Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae in the India Open semi-final last week.
Aaron-Wooi Yik's battle plan was to be more aggressive this time, and it resulted in a 21-19, 21-15 win in 41 minutes.
World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik's success today has also led to an all-Malaysian semi-final at the Indonesia Master where they will meet world No. 13 compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. In the last eight, Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King 21-15, 21-16 in 32 minutes.
Malaysian men's doubles have often struggled to shine in Indonesia, and no pair have been able to break the semi-final barrier at the Indonesia Masters since it was first held in 2010. And now Malaysia is assured of a pair in the final.
Wooi Yik said playing aggressively was the best way to overcome Min Hyuk-Won Ho.
"We lost to the Koreans last week. We learned to be more patient and our attacking play was better this time," said Wooi Yik.
Aaron said: "Prior to the Malaysia Open, we were not in our best condition, but we wanted to push ourselves and play three tournaments in a row.
"This is where we can test the pain barrier and our physical limit."
Meanwhile, Wei Chong said he and Kai Wun are ready to continue their good record at the Istora Senayan where they finished second in last year's Indonesia Open, a Super 1000 event.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have a 2-1 head-to-head record against their juniors, Wei Chong-Kai Wun.