KUALA LUMPUR – On paper, their chances look slim, but Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, have not given up hope of qualifying for the season-ending World Tour Finals next month.
The two-time Olympic bronze medallists kept their hopes alive by reaching the final of the Super 300 Korea Open today, after a convincing 21-17, 21-16 win over Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin in the final four stage.
World number six Aaron and Wooi Yik, who are also the top seeds in Korea, will play home pair Jin Yong and Kim Won Ho for the crown tomorrow. The Koreans ousted their fellow compatriots Kim Dong Ju and Seo Seung Jae 16-21, 21-19, 21-16 in the other semi-final match.
Speaking to Scoop, Aaron admitted that he and Wooi Yik are still fighting to make the top-eight cut for the US$2.5 million World Tour Finals.
However, the Malaysian pair is ready to accept whatever fate has in store for them.
“The World Tour Finals is for sure our target. That is how we intend to end the year. What we can do now is to only play our best and leave the rest to fate,” Aaron said when contacted by Scoop.
It is important to note that only the top eight singles players and pairs on the Race to Finals standings will qualify for the World Tour Finals, scheduled for December 11-15. Paris Olympic champions receive an automatic ticket.
Aaron and Wooi Yik are currently number 13 on the Race to Finals standings, with two more tournaments left after the Korea Open: Kumamoto Masters in Japan next week and the Super 750 China Master later this month.
Above Aaron and Wooi Yik on the standings are Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, and Choong Hon Jian and Haikal Nazri. November 9, 2024