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Aaron-Wooi Yik to face home pair at Thai Open semis

Aaron-Wooi Yik to face home pair at Thai Open semis

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are hoping to win their second BWF title this year after winning the Badminton Asia Championships last month. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : Men's doubles aces Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik cruised into the semi-finals of the Thailand Open today, but a tough battle awaits them against a home pair tomorrow.
The world No 5 pair needed just 28 minutes to defeat compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King 21-12, 21-13 in the quarter-final.
However, the duo, who just received the 'Sportsman of the Year' award, are expected to face stiff resistance from Thailand's fast-improving world No 16 pair Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh in the semi-final.
Kittinupong-Dechapol have been in a strong form this season, having won the Swiss Open title in March and upstaging higher-ranked players in many of their outings.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will also have to contend with the vociferous home crowd in Bangkok, one of the reasons for the good performances of Thai players throughout the tournament.
The Malaysian pair are hoping to end a 16-year drought in the men's doubles event at the Thailand Open, last won by Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah in 2009.
A win tomorrow would also set them on course for a second title this year after winning the Badminton Asia Championships last month. The duo have never won more than one title in a single season.
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