KUCHING: Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik opened their 2025 China Open campaign with a solid straight-games victory over Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard, winning 21–19, 21–15 in 41 minutes.
The world No. 2 pair showed sharp court awareness and composure under pressure, especially in the opening game where they held off a late Danish surge.
Unfortunately, it was a disappointing day for Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin, who fell to South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk–Kim Dong Ju in three sets, 15–21, 21–15, 21–17, crashing out in the opening round.
In the mixed doubles department, Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai Jemie, seeded sixth, were also sent packing by Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah–Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, losing 21–18, 22–24, 15–21.
Meanwhile, it was the much needed break for top men’s singles shuttler, Jun Hao Leong, as he cruised past Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto with straight set wins of 21-15, 21-18 last Tuesday.
The Malaysian pair will now look to build on their confident start as they await their Round of 16 opponents later today.
The China Open takes place at Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre and is set to conclude this Sunday (Jul 27).
