Asian Games: Aaron-Kai Wun are dark horses in individual event

Malaysia may have missed out on securing a medal after a 3-2 defeat against Indonesia at the Asian Games team event, but the performance of Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun was something to savour.

The scratch pairing leveled the scores to 2-2 after they came from a game down to beat Leo Carnando-Daniel Marthin 17-21, 21-16, 21-13.

Third men’s singles shuttler Eogene Ewe failed to deliver the final point, which ended Malaysia’s campaign prematurely on Tuesday.

The country’s top shuttlers will now focus on the individual event which begins on Friday.

Against the Indonesians, Chia-Tee started slowly but found their groove in the second and third game to come away with the convincing win.

Compared to Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin who lost in straight games against Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri, Chia-Soh looked the more composed pair and could be dark horses for a medal in the individual event.

Chia-Soh both agreed playing as a new pair especially against more established combinations allowed them to express themselves better on court.

While they are a new pair, individually they have excelled in recent tournaments with different partners.

Chia secured a silver medal at the Taipei Open and World Championships after reaching the final with Aaron Tai and his regular partner Soh Wooi Yik, while Tee won the Korea Masters last month with Yap Roy King.

After the Asian Games, Chia and Tee will return to their respective partners Soh and Man Wei Chong.