Badminton

Bad day for Malaysia at Singapore Open

KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's disappointing loss to Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen capped off a dismal day, marking the end of Malaysia's challenge in the Singapore Open today (May 31).

World No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik were defeated 21-10, 21-14 by Astrup-Rasmussen, resulting in their second quarter-final exit in as many weeks.

Aaron-Wooi Yik also failed to impress at last week's Malaysia Masters despite being the top seeds, as they were eliminated by South Korea's Jin Yong-Na Sung Seung in the quarter-finals.

The poor results prompted coaching director Rexy Mainaky to criticise their performance, labelling it "unacceptable."

This outcome also caused Aaron-Wooi Yik to drop from the fourth position in the world rankings, being overtaken by Astrup-Rasmussen, who moved up thanks to their Malaysia Masters triumph.

Aaron-Wooi Yik will need to be ranked in the top four by the end of June to secure a seeded position at the Paris Olympics.

Earlier in the men's singles action, Leong Jun Hao's valiant run in the tournament was ended by world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

Jun Hao could not replicate the performance that saw him upset double defending champion Anthony Ginting of Indonesia, allowing Axelsen to secure a convincing 21-12, 21-11 victory.

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