Herry wants Aaron-Wooi Yik to smash home blues at Singapore Open

KUALA LUMPUR: The gap among the world’s top 10 men’s doubles pairs is razor-thin, and only the most prepared, opportunity-seizing pairs will triumph at the Singapore Open starting on Tuesday.

National coach Herry IP said defending champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik can perform well in the Super 750 event.

Following their defeat to world No. 9 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the Malaysia Masters semi-finals on Saturday, the world No. 2 must regroup to replicate last year’s title-winning display.

The Singapore Open witnessed one of Aaron-Wooi Yik’s finest performances last year when they defeated South Korean world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, their only win in four career meetings.

“I hope Aaron-Wooi Yik can do well in Singapore. In tournaments like this, it all depends on who is most prepared and who can make the best use of their opportunities,” said Herry.

“The level among the world’s men’s doubles pairs is very close. So, whoever can seize the openings and is in better condition will usually win the title.”

Second seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik face a tricky draw against French world No. 20 Toma Junior Popov-Christo Popov in the first round.

They could face England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy in a dangerous last-16 clash.

While the Malaysians should advance against the physically struggling Popov brothers, they will be wary of Lane-Vendy, who have won four of their last six meetings.

Aaron-Wooi Yik are projected to meet China’s world No. 5 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang in the quarter-finals, and could face Sze Fei-Izzuddin in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Herry said he is pleased with the progress of world No. 16 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, as well as world No. 26 Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing.

The pairs have started adapting to his attack-oriented philosophy at the Malaysia Masters. “Arif-Roy King and Aaron-Khai Xing, even though they still lost, I can see improvement in their gameplay compared to last year. Their style of play is starting to take shape and this is what I hoped to see,” said Herry.

“So, in terms of progress and playing styles, there has been improvement, even if the results were not good.”

Arif-Roy King achieved their best result in a Super 500 event by reaching the semi-finals last week, which included beating Aaron-Khai Xing in the second round.

At the Singapore Open, Arif-Roy King face a tough first-round encounter against Japan’s world No. 30 Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami.

Aaron-Khai Zing will debut in a testing opening-round clash against independent pair Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times