KUALA LUMPUR: Don't fret, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are expected to regain their form at next week's Denmark Open.
The world No. 4, playing in their first World Tour event since the Paris Olympics in August, were soundly beaten 21-13, 21-8 by England's Ben Lane-Sean Vendy in just 31 minutes in the second round of the Arctic Open in Finland yesterday.
It was their second loss to the English duo in six meetings.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had skipped several events after the latter sustained a right toe fracture during the Paris Olympics.
National coach Tan Bin Shen believes the outcome could have been different if Wooi Yik had been at peak fitness.
For the record, the pair missed four tour events — the Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and China Opens — following the Paris Games.
Despite the disappointing defeat to Lane-Vendy, Bin Shen is optimistic that Aaron-Wooi Yik will show improvement starting from the Denmark Open in Odense, which starts on Tuesday.
"It was Aaron-Wooi Yik's first World Tour event after nearly two months, and they were slightly lacking in terms of tournament sharpness.
"They clearly felt it during the defeat," said Bin Shen.
"We will analyse their performance, and we hope they improve in the next tournament.
"There are no other concerns, and they will play in Denmark."
Aaron-Wooi Yik won their first World Tour title at the Denmark Open last year and will aim to defend their crown.
They will open against Japan's world No. 20 Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura in the first round.
A victory could set up a second-round clash with compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun reached the Arctic Open quarter-finals after defeating Scotland's Alexander Dunn-Adam Pringle 21-10, 21-15 yesterday.
They will face China's world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang for a semi-final spot later today.