Malaysia trail 2-1 in Thomas Cup after Aaron-Wooi Yik recover a point
Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik earned Malaysia a point against China in the Thomas Cup semi-final in Chengdu, China. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: China took a 2-1 lead against Malaysia in the Thomas Cup semi-final in Chengdu tonight when second singles player Leong Jun Hao lost in straight games, 21-17, 21-10 to China’s Li Shi Feng.
Jun Hao failed to extend Malaysia’s momentum after the doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had recovered a point to put the national side level with China following singles ace Lee Zii Jia’s tame exit in the opening singles.
Zii Jia went down 21-19, 21-5 to China’s world No. 2 Shi Yu Qi, his fifth loss to the Chinese ace in six meetings.
However Aaron-Wooi Yik fought gamely to secure a 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 victory over the Chinese pair of Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang, the world No 1 pair.
Malaysia are making their first Thomas Cup semi-final appearance in eight years since the 2016 tournament in Kunshan.
In the other semi-final, Indonesia entered the final after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead over Chinese Taipei.