Zii Jia beats world champ Kean Yew in titanic battle

 

Malaysia’s Aaron Chia (L) and Soh Wooi Yik (R) in action against Pramudya Kusumawardana and Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan of Indonesia during their men's doubles quarterfinal match at the East Ventures Indonesia Open 2022 Badminton Tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia. - EPA PIC

Meanwhile, it was sweet revenge for Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as the Malaysian pair staged a remarkable comeback to beat Indonesia's Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan, who pipped them to the Asian crown in Manila last month.

The Olympic bronze medallists recovered brilliantly from 15-10 down before saving three match points at 20-17 to seal a 14-21, 21-12, 22-20 win in a pulsating 56-minute quarter-final battle.

Aaron could not believe their luck and admitted that their victory was helped by the fact that Yeremia had hurt his knee during the crucial stages.

"Honestly, the match was for our opponents to lose. When they were leading 20-18, I felt that we were 99.9% certain of losing," said Aaron.

Malaysia’s Aaron Chia (L) and Soh Wooi Yik (2-L) ask for medical assistance for injured Yeremia Rambitan (2-R) of Indonesia as Pramudya Kusumawardana (R) pauses after their men's doubles quarterfinal match at the East Ventures Indonesia Open 2022 Badminton Tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia. - EPA PIC

"Unfortunately, Yeremia injured his knee. I didn't notice that initially."

Aaron-Wooi Yik will next face either Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto or China's Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi as they seek to reach their first Super 1000 final since their runners-up finish at the 2019 All England.

Aaron believes that he and Wooi Yik must make the most of the luck that they're riding on in their bid to win their first Open title.

"Today's win showed that the luck is on our side. We need to capitalise on this and not squander it now that we're in the semi-finals."- NST