KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh off their dream debut victory at the Arctic Open, unranked men's doubles pair Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King are targeting another strong run at this week's Denmark Open in Odense.
The Malaysian pair issued a warning to more established rivals when they clinched the Super 500 title in Vantaa, Finland, defeating Taiwan's world No. 60 Lai Po Yu-Tsai Fu Cheng 21-19, 21-19 in the final.
They became only the third Malaysian pair to win the title, following Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi (2013) and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in (2024).
"First Super 500 title (for the BA of Malaysia) this week. What a week. Still feels unreal that we did it," Roy King wrote on Instagram after the victory.
"I once thought it was out of reach, but I'm so happy that I've finally achieved it. And to everyone who has been supporting us along the way, thank you. We will keep going."
However, Aaron Tai-Roy King face a tougher challenge at the Super 750 Denmark Open starting Tuesday, with all top 15 pairs set to compete, including world No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
By contrast, the Arctic Open featured only two top-10 pairs — England's world No. 8 Ben Lane-Sean Vendy and Japan's world No. 9 Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi — both of whom suffered early exits.
In Denmark, Aaron Tai-Roy King face a tricky opening match against South Korea's scratch pair Kang Min Hyuk-Lee Jong Min on Tuesday.
Victory could set up a second-round clash against Aaron-Wooi Yik, provided both pairs progress.
National coach Herry IP praised Aaron Tai-Roy King for their breakthrough in Vantaa, but said the Denmark Open would offer a true test of their capabilities.
"I know they have potential and did well to win their first Super 500 title. But the true test will be in Denmark, where they will face the top-10 pairs," said Herry.
"This is where we can see how good they are when facing stronger opposition."
Meanwhile, senior pair Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik will permanently reunite after temporarily splitting to experiment with other partners, a trial that ended following the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games two weeks ago.
The 2022 world champions face a clash of former world titleholders in their opening round against 2021 champions Hoki-Kobayashi.
World No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have also reunited post-Asian Games for the Denmark Open, where they open against Arctic Open semi-finalists Christian Faust Kjaer-Rasmus Kjaer.
Another highlight of the first round will be an all-Malaysian encounter between world No. 6 Sze Fei-Izzuddin and world No. 24 Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.
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