KUALA LUMPUR: Seniors Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik showed who's boss when they coolly subdued youngsters Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King to cruise into the Denmark Open men's doubles quarter-finals on Thursday.
World No. 4 Aaron-Wooi Yik were unperturbed by the threat posed by the in-form Arctic Open champions Aaron Tai-Roy King, securing a comprehensive 21-18, 21-11 win in a 33-minute last-16 clash in Odense.
It was a classic battle of aggressive attacking by Aaron Tai-Roy King and stout defending by the senior pair, who also used their experience to outwit their rising compatriots.
Aaron-Wooi Yik's ability to counter-attack during long rallies proved decisive as the Malacca-born Aaron-Roy King surrendered in the second game.
"They just got the title in Finland and were definitely looking for a second one here. But unlucky for them today because we had more energy and better rhythm on court," said Aaron Chia.
"I think both pairs were well prepared and they put up a strong resistance in the first game. But in the second game we managed to break their rhythm."
Wooi Yik also said they didn't want to take Aaron Tai-Roy King for granted because of their form after last week's win.
"It was not an easy match because we know each other's game very well, so we tried to give our best. We know they can beat us, and we are aware of that," said Wooi Yik.
"We have played here many times and know the conditions well. We just want to maintain our momentum and stay focused."
The Denmark Open brings fond memories for Aaron-Wooi Yik, as it was where they won their first World Tour title in 2023.
However, they have not tasted success in the Super 750 event since then, finishing as quarter-finalists in 2024 before suffering a first-round exit last year.
They look well placed to extend their run this time, as they should not have problems beating either China's Hu Ke Yuan-Ren Xiang Yi or Japan's Hiroki Okamura-Kyohei Yamashita in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Meanwhile, independent pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing bounced back from a shock first-round exit at the Arctic Open to cruise into the last eight in Odense.
World No. 58 Pang Ron-Pei Jing did it in style, upstaging Thailand's world No. 5 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran 21-7, 21-11 in just 24 minutes in their last-16 clash at the SJF Bank Arena.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing will meet either French world champions and world No. 4 pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue or Japan's world No. 18 pair Akira Koga-Natsu Saito in the quarter-finals on Friday.
It has been a rapid rise for the independent pair, who only started partnering each other in May and are almost assured of breaking into the world's top 50 in next week's rankings following their current run.
Having already finished runners-up at the Super 750 China Masters in August, Pang Ron-Pei Jing will be aiming to finally win their first World Tour title, although the competition will get tougher from here.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd