Aaron Chia says South Korean pair’s calmness at crucial points was decisive in their Malaysia Open final defeat, as they miss out on a maiden Super 1000 title.
KUALA LUMPUR: The composure of South Korean world number ones Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae proved decisive in denying Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, their maiden Malaysia Open title.
Aaron said the Korean top seeds were calmer during the crucial moments of the deciding set in their 66-minute final at the Axiata Arena.
The 28-year-old admitted his disappointment at missing the chance to become the first Malaysian men’s doubles champions in 12 years and finishing as runners-up for the seventh time in a Super 1000 tournament.
“We did our best for today but there is not much difference between us and the South Korean pair,” Aaron told reporters.
“Maybe in the rubber set we were trailing too far and had to catch up point by point and (the situation) then was really tense. When the crucial point they were calmer, they won 11 titles last year and I think they still brought the confidence and form they had here.”
Won Ho and Seung Jae confirmed their second consecutive Malaysia Open title with a 21-15, 12-21, 21-18 victory.
Despite the loss, Wooi Yik said the result was a positive start to the season.
He refused to raise the white flag over their quest for a Super 1000 title, vowing to continue fighting with consistent performances.
As champions, the Korean pair took home a cash prize of USD107,300 (RM439,232), while the Malaysians received USD50,750 (RM207,745).
The last Malaysian winners of the Malaysia Open were Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah in 2014.
