KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik advanced to the French Open quarter-finals without taking to the court on Thursday after their Thai opponents withdrew from their second-round encounter.
The world No. 4 were awarded a walkover against Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul at Arena Grand Paris, although the reason for the world No. 26 Thais' withdrawal was not immediately known.
The unexpected passage into the last eight gives the fourth seeds an extra day's rest as they continue their pursuit of a first World Tour title this season.
Fresh from finishing runners-up at last week's Denmark Open, Aaron-Wooi Yik had opened their French Open campaign with an impressive 21-15, 21-19 victory over China's two-time Thomas Cup heroes He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu on Wednesday.
They will now face either compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun or Japan's eighth seeds Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in Friday's quarter-finals.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, the world No. 11, were scheduled to face the Japanese pair later on Thursday, with victory setting up an all-Malaysian clash.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will be hoping to match or improve on their semi-final finish at last year's French Open.
The Malaysians also reached the French Open semi-finals in 2021 and quarter-finals in 2024.
Despite reaching three World Tour finals this season, Aaron-Wooi Yik have yet to lift a title, with their last triumph coming at the Singapore Open in June last year.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd