Aarons have the qualities to be a real menace

Aaron Chia-Aaron Tai will be a menace if they continue to build on their promising partnership after narrowly losing out at the Taipei Open men’s doubles title on Sunday.

This scratch pairing went down fighting 21-23, 19-21 in a pulsating clash against Indonesian pair Leo Carnando-Daniel Marthin.

Despite the defeat, there were lots of positives to be taken from this Super 300 event, where both Aarons were playing together in only their second tournament.

The Malaysians had beaten four Chinese Taipei pairings in front of their home fans to reach the final, including a huge win over world number 17 Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan in the quarter-finals.

Judging by their performance in the final, the Aarons must continue to work hard to find the right balance in their partnership.

A key area that will be looked at is for them to find composure in crucial moments, where they missed out on big points at the end of both games.

But their overall performance in Taipei should give national head coach Herry Iman Pierngaldi comfort in knowing one of his scratch pairings is already showing immediate progress.

The other new pairs – Man Wei Chong-Soh Wooi Yik & Kang Khai Xing-Junaidi Arif have yet to hit the ground running after suffering early exits in their last two tournaments.

For both the Aarons, it is the opposite.

Both men are almost identical in terms of their physique and skill, with explosive power and their reading of the game.

Tai looks more comfortable in the front court, but is equally capable at the back with Chia also quick to move to the front for the kills.

Chia-Tai will get a chance to immediately build on their success at this week’s Korea Masters, and another good run will only strengthen this blossoming partnership.