Rexy Mainaky says Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik lacked mental edge against Korean pair in Malaysia Open final, highlighting pressure and game control
NATIONAL men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were undone by a lack of mental toughness in their Malaysia Open final defeat.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the Malaysian pair crumbled under pressure at crucial moments against South Korea’s world number one duo Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae.
He said Seung Jae’s intelligence in controlling the game and the Korean pair’s superior mental edge made the decisive difference.
“In their previous meeting, Aaron-Wooi Yik won. Their level was not far apart, but in terms of confidence in certain situations, the Korean pair were more experienced,” Rexy told reporters.
He cited a key moment at 19-18 in the deciding game where Aaron hesitated, leading to an error.
“Seung Jae was the mastermind. He was clever at neutralising situations,” Rexy added, noting Seung Jae made far fewer mistakes than his partner.
Aaron and Wooi Yik lost 15-21, 21-12, 18-21 in a 66-minute final, extending the country’s 12-year title drought in the men’s doubles at the tournament.
Rexy said the Malaysians were inconsistent in the first game but played to their plan in the second.
“Our plan was to stop the Korean pair from dominating the front court, but that did not work in the first game,” he explained.
He said an early 11-4 deficit in the third game proved difficult to overcome as the Koreans controlled the rallies.
Asked about Malaysia having only one pair in the final, Rexy cautioned against comparisons between different duos.
“Aaron and Wooi Yik’s level of experience in handling situations is still far above pairs such as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun,” he said.
He noted that having many pairs does not guarantee deep runs in a Super 1000 event featuring all the world’s top 10 players.
