All-England: Aaron-Wooi Yik, Kian Meng-Pei Jing first Malaysians to win on grey courts

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were the first Malaysians through to the All-England Open second round while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi couldn’t convert the all important match point on Tuesday.

Tan-Lai came through after a come-from-behind 12-21, 21-19, 21-14 victory against French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue.

The mixed doubles pair, who have been battling indifferent form, showed good fighting spirit to win the second game and level the scores, and used that win to take a big lead in the deciding game which they converted for the win.

Tan-Lai will either face a Hong Kong or Indonesian pair in the second round.

Chia-Soh also earned a second round berth after a 21-19, 21-17 victory over national team-mates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin.

The world number five pair are looking to do well in this Super 1000 event after losing at the French Open quarter-finals last week.

They will next face Chinese Taipei pair Chang Ko-chi-Po Li-wei as they bid to earn a spot in the last eight.

Ong-Teo were meanwhile left to rue a huge missed opportunity after they couldn’t convert one point to book their second round berth.

The Malaysians were facing Chinese pair Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi and looked certain to book their spot as they held a 20-17 lead having won the first game.

But they looked nervous and the Chinese capitalized to level the scores, and Liu-Ou went on to win the deciding game with Ong-Teo looking rattled.

Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien, Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah and Goh Soon Huat are among other pairs who will be in action in the wee hours of Wednesday morning (local time) at the Arena Birmingham.

The All-England this year features grey courts on all four courts of first round action.