Badminton: Aaron-Soh Defeats Japan’s Mitsuhashi-Okamura to Reach Second Round
The national men’s doubles team of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had to find their feet before passing the first hurdle in their mission to defend the Danish Open badminton Championships when they entered the second round of the 2024 edition today.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games bronze medallists had to fight hard in a fierce match for 49 minutes to defeat the Japanese pair of Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura 28-26, 21-11 at the Jyske Bank Arena.
Experience Not Enough to Guarantee Success
Aaron, however, admitted that even though they are experienced, the long period without a competitive match has made them ‘rusty’ and had to persevere to find the rhythm of their game.
Finding their Footing
"I think we have been away a long while from tournament play and we are just back. And of course, we can say that we are experienced players but it’s been a really long time since we didn’t get into the court, and there are still a lot of things to get used to again," Aaron said through an audio recording shared by Badminton World Federation (BWF) today.
Change of Strategy Seals Victory
Moreover, Wooi Yik, who is recovering from a broken toe injury, said a change of strategy in the second set sealed their victory.
"I think we had more variety in the second game, and soon as we realised in the first few shots, we want to change the angle, and in some shots, we didn’t want to kill it (for points) so fast. We try to be patient, and it worked. Actually, after the first few points of the second game, we just continued with the rhythm," he said.
Second Round Match-Up
In the second round tomorrow, Aaron and Wooi Yik will meet either fellow countrymen Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun or Callum Hemming-Ethan Van Leeuwen of England.
Mixed Doubles Defeat
Meanwhile, the national mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie lost to the French pair of Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue 21-9, 22-24, 10-24.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aaron-Soh’s victory over Japan’s Mitsuhashi-Okamura is a testament to their determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite being rusty after a long layoff, they adjusted their strategy and secured a hard-fought win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the outcome of the match between Aaron-Soh and Mitsuhashi-Okamura?
A: Aaron-Soh won the match 28-26, 21-11.
Q: How did Aaron-Aki describe their performance in the first game?
A: Aaron said they were a bit rusty and not yet well-worked out in the first game.
Q: What was the key to their success in the second game?
A: A change of strategy, including varying their shots and not rushing to score points, helped them secure the win.
Q: Who will Aaron-Soh face in the second round?
A: They will meet either Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun or Callum Hemming-Ethan Van Leeuwen of England.