KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik survived a mid-match wobble to secure their place in the second round of the Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
The Malaysian men's doubles pair overcame the challenge posed by Americans Presley Smith-Chen Zhi Yi, eventually prevailing 21-15, 16-21, 21-8 in a hard-fought first-round encounter that lasted 58 minutes.
Despite a strong start in the opening game, Aaron-Wooi Yik faltered in the second, as unforced errors allowed the world No. 37 pair to force a decider.
However, the Malaysians regained their composure after the interval, dominating the third game to seal the win with ease.
Wooi Yik cited challenges adjusting to the court conditions as a key factor in their mid-match dip.
"The draft was against us in the second game, which favoured their attacking play and caused our speed to drop. We struggled to adjust," he explained.
"We're not too worried, though. We know what we need to do and will stick to our game plan."
Aaron highlighted their focus on improving physical conditioning as they aim for a strong start to the year.
"We are gradually improving our fitness. It's a new year, and we need to get back on track," said Aaron.
Winning the Malaysia Open title remains a formidable challenge for the duo, who have yet to triumph on home soil.
Their career highlights include a world title won in Japan in 2022 and Olympic bronze medals from Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024.
They have also clinched two World Tour titles abroad — the Denmark Open Super 750 in 2023 and the Korea Open Super 300 last year.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
(Selected)
Men's singles: Toma Junior Popov (Fra) bt Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-8, 14-21, 26-24; Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Alex Lanier (Fra) 21-11, 12-21, 23-21; Li Shi Feng (Chn) bt Priyanshu Rajawat (Ind) 21-11, 21-16; Koki Watanabe (Jpn) bt Loh Kean Yew (Sin) 21-13, 21-18; Anthony Ginting (Ina) bt Lee Chia Hao (Tai) 21-12, 21-19; Anders Antonsen (Den) bt Wang Tzu Wei (Tai) 21-17, 21-10; Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) bt Christo Popov (Fra) 23-21, 21-9.
Doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) bt Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (US) 21-15, 16-21, 21-10; Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (Mas) bt Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (Ina) 15-21, 21-17, 21-13; Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang (Chn) bt Kim Gi Jung-Kim Sa Rang (Kor) 21-18, 21-18; Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae (Kor) bt Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King (Mas) 21-17, 21-11.
Women's singles: Yeo Jia Min (Sin) bt Sung Shuo Yun (Tai) 21-16, 21-13; Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt Hsu Wen Chi (Tai) 21-9, 21-13; Malvika Bansod (Ind) bt Goh Jin Wei (Mas) 21-15, 21-16; Han Yue (Chn) bt Pai Yu Po (Tai) 22-20, 21-7.
Doubles: Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong (Kor) bt Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam (HK) 21-12, 21-9; Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min (Chn) bt Fan Ka Yan-Yau Mau Ying (HK) 21-14, 21-14; Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto (Jpn) bt Julie MacPherson-Ciara Torrence (Sco) 21-16, 21-17; Misaki Matsumoto-Chiharu Shida (Jpn) bt Tanisha Crasto-Ashwini Ponnappa (Ind) 23-21, 21-12; Sung Shuo Yun-Yu Chien Hui (Tai) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting 21-15, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (Mas) bt Presley Smith-Jennie Gai (US) 21-15, 21-19; Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi (Chn) bt Robin Tabeling-Alexandra Boje (Ned-Den) 21-8, 21-12; Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin (Chn) bt Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat (Tha) 18-21, 21-8, 23-21.