KUCHING: National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik keep their Singapore Open title defence alive after defeating England’s Ben Lane–Sean Vendy 21-15, 21-15 to reach the quarter-finals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium today (May 28).
Coming into the Round of 16 clash holding a slim 6-4 head-to-head advantage, the Malaysians were immediately dragged into another physical and high-tempo affair against the stubborn English duo.
The battle erupts almost instantly from the opening serve.
Fast drives, flat exchanges and sharp interceptions quickly dominate the court as both pairs desperately search for early control in the tie.
In such a high-intensity contest, mistakes were always bound to surface – and both sides capitalised on loose points whenever opportunities appeared.
Still, composure ultimately separates the two sides.
Aaron and Wooi Yik remain calmer during the crucial closing stages of the opening game, gradually tightening control before sealing the first set 21-15.
The second set however arrives with a completely different rhythm.
Lane and Vendy begin slowing portions of the rallies down, leaning heavier into a more defensive structure in hopes of disrupting the Malaysians’ attacking tempo.
But Aaron and Wooi Yik steadily adapt.
The Malaysian world No.2 pair retaliate aggressively through sharper front-court pressure and cleaner attacking rotations, slowly dismantling the defensive wall placed in front of them.
As the pressure builds, the English resistance eventually crumbles.
Aaron and Wooi Yik close out the match in straight sets to keep their Singapore Open title defence firmly on track.
Elsewhere, Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Kang Khai Xing–Aaron Tai continue the country’s impressive run after stunning world No.7 Indonesians Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani to reach the last eight.
Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei and men’s doubles duo Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also progress into the quarter-finals earlier in the day.
However, women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah bow out after falling to Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard–Nuntakarn Aimsaard.
