Shock Exit for Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in BWF World Tour Finals
PETALING JAYA: National men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik found themselves out of the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China in a shock exit caused by the withdrawal of a Chinese pair yesterday and a defeat in the final group match tonight.
Group Stage Drama
Aaron-Wooi Yik had beaten He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu in their opening match in three games but the withdrawal of the Chinese pair after that meant that all their matches were voided under a BWF rule. As a result, with only one win against Muhammad Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto in three games yesterday, Aaron-Wooi Yik needed to win or take a game off another Indonesian pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi in their final Group B match today.
Disappointing Loss
However, the Malaysians did not live up to expectations and went down in straight games of 21-16,21-16 in 41 minutes.
Semi-Finalists Announced
As a result, Fajar-Rian qualified for the semi-final and will meet Sze Fei- Izzuddin while Sabar-Reza also made it to the semi-finals from the group, and will meet Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen who topped Group A.
Round Robin Format Explained
Under the round robin format, if the number of points for a win are tied, the difference between the total number of games won and lost will decide on the qualifier. If they are tied on this too, the difference between points for and against will be the decider.
Qualification Standings
Fajar-Rian won a total of three games and lost two, giving them a difference of one. Sabar-Reza won two and lost two, or a zero difference. As for Aaron-Wooi Yik, they won two but lost three, giving them a difference of negative one.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani’s Chance
Their exit left Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in contention for a spot in the final. If they succeed, they would be the first Malaysians to enter a final of the RM11 million BWF World Tour finals.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s Victory
Sze Fei-Izzuddin qualified for the semi-finals after labouring for 40 minutes before defeating Taiwan’s double Olympic gold medallists Lee Yang-Wang Chih Lin 24-22, 21-12 in their final Group A tie to finish as the runners-up in the group.
Conclusion
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s exit from the BWF World Tour Finals is a disappointing end to their campaign. However, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani still has a chance to make history and become the first Malaysian pair to enter a final of the RM11 million BWF World Tour finals.
FAQs
Q: Why did Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s matches get voided?
A: The Chinese pair they played in their opening match withdrew after the match, which meant that all their matches were voided under a BWF rule.
Q: How did Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s final group match go?
A: They lost to Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi in straight games of 21-16,21-16 in 41 minutes.
Q: Who will Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik play in the semi-finals?
A: They will not play in the semi-finals as they failed to qualify.
Q: Who will Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani play in the semi-finals?
A: They will play Fajar-Rian in the semi-finals.