Aaron-Wooi Yik given ultimatum to win world champs to remain a pair

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik must win the World Championships title if they intend to continue playing together, the pair revealed after securing a last-16 berth on Tuesday.

The 2022 world champions have been split up in a national doubles’ coaching reshuffle, with Chia now teaming up with Aaron Tai while Soh now partners Man Wei Chong.

Both men admit it’s been challenging to readjust to new partners after being side-by-side on court for 11-years since 2015, dating back to their junior days.

“Our coaches have decided on trialing new partnerships. So this will be our last tournament as a pair, unless we can win this World Championships and automatically qualify for the World Tour Finals (in December).

“It took us a long time to build this partnership, so to change suddenly with different partners is not easy. We’ll see how the plan goes. For the world meet, we have not set any target for ourselves.

“We will give it our best and enjoy the competition,” they said.

Chia-Soh were lacking their usual sting against Thailand pair Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, but did enough to come away with a 15-21, 21-11, 21-18 win.

They will next face national team-mates Man-Tee Kai Wun, who have also been reunited for this world meet.

Man-Tee were much more clinical in their 21-14, 21-15 victory over Chinese pair Huang Di-Liu Yang to setup this all-Malaysian clash.