INDIA OPEN: AARON-WOOI YIK ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND AFTER COMPATRIOTS RETIRE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) — Men's doubles pair Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik booked a place in the second round of the India Open 2026 after compatriots Kang Khai Xing–Aaron Tai retired midway in the first-round clash after 21 minutes today.

At the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, Aaron–Wooi Yik advanced without completing the full match, leading 21-12, 11-6 at the time of the retirement.

“Aaron (Tai) retired suffering a backache,” according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) statement shared with Malaysian media.

Aaron–Wooi Yik will next face Japan’s Takumi Nomura–Yuichi Shimogami, who narrowly defeated fellow Malaysians Arif Junaidi– Yap Roy King 26-28, 21-18, 22-20.

Meanwhile, another Malaysian men’s doubles pair, Chia Weijie–Lwi Sheng Hao, bowed out after losing 18-21, 15-21 to Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita.

Also advancing were another Malaysian men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin who triumphed over professional pair Choi Sol Gyu–Goh V Shem 19-21, 21-16, 21-10.

The Malaysian duo will next face either England’s Ben Lane–Sean Vendy or Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-Huei–Yang Po-Hsuan in the second round.

In women’s doubles, Pearly Tan– M.Thinaah continued Malaysia’s strong showing with straight sets victory over India’s Kavipriya Selvam–Simran Singhi 21-18, 21-6 and will face France’s Margot Lambert–Camille Pognante.

Meanwhile, another Malaysian women’s doubles pair, Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting were eliminated after losing 17-21, 15-21 to Taiwan’s Hsieh Pei Shan–Hung En-Tzu.

-- BERNAMA