Malaysia Open: Aaron-Wooi Yik desperate to end wait for major title on home soil

Aware of enormous expectations on them at next week's Malaysia Open, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik will be pinning on a good outing to end their wait for a maiden major title on home soil at the Axiata Arena.

The Malaysian pair were praised for their sportsmanship at the Indonesia Open last week, when they chose not to attack Yeremia Erich after the shuttler got injured during a tense rally partnering Pramudya Kusumawardana.

They won that match to reach the semi-finals, but were atrocious against their Chinese opponents and lost in straight games.

The defeat reeked of familiarity, with it being their third semi-final loss this season and representing another missed opportunity for them to win the first major title in their career.

“Every tournament we thought it was our time to win, but we just did not do enough. This time, we are playing in front of our home crowd and we hope their support will serve as motivation to us to excel.

“Coach Rexy said we have to be hungrier to win. It’s clear that when we reach the semis or final, we think too much and are less focused on the match,” said Chia.

He also added the world number six pair were still recovering from the food poisoning suffered at the Indonesia Masters two weeks ago.

Meanwhile there were a host of international shuttlers who already arrived in the country ahead of the Malaysia Open and Malaysia Masters (July 5-10).

Viktor Axelsen, Lakshya Sen and Carolina Marin were among those who touched down early and were seen in training at the Academy Badminton of Malaysia this week.

Besides that, Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long and Lee Chiek Yu, along with Danish pair Alexandra Boje-Mathias Christiansen also arrived.

The Malaysia Open is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.