Latest news with #ChinaOpen
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Top seed Rachel Arnold battles into Asian Championships final
KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed Rachel Arnold is just one step away from clinching her first Asian Championships women's title after a hard-fought win in the semi-finals in Kuching on Friday. The 29-year-old, who captured the China Open last year, overcame a spirited challenge from compatriot and fifth seed Aifa Azman, winning 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10 in a 56-minute battle at the Sarawak Squash Centre. World No 19 Rachel will take on Hong Kong's world No 29 Ho Tze Lok in Saturday's final. Tze Lok reached the final by defeating Malaysia's world No. 59 Yee Xin Ying 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6 in 45 minutes. Rachel was a runner-up in 2021 in Islamabad, losing to Hong Kong's Tong Tsz Wing. However, she holds a psychological edge going into the final, having beaten Tze Lok in both their previous PSA Tour meetings in 2016. The top seed admitted that Aifa had pushed her to the limit in the semi-final. "Aifa gave me a real scare," said Rachel. "But I thought I did well to hang on and fend off her fightback to reach the final again. It's never easy to face a teammate in a tournament, and I'm just glad I came through." Rachel is hoping to become the first Malaysian woman to win the Asian crown since Nicol David in 2015 and is feeling confident about her chances. "I'll definitely need to be sharp in the final. I have confidence in my game," she said. "I just need to stay calm and play my game against Tze Lok."
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik urged to snatch world No 1 ranking
KUALA LUMPUR: They may be good friends off court, but on it, the rivalry between Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani is reaching boiling point. And national coach Herry IP wants his charges, world No 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, to dethrone compatriots and snatch the world No 1 ranking as soon as possible. Preferably, before the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25-31. Herry, known in badminton circles as the 'Magician', believes the Asian champions are in a perfect position to leapfrog independent pair Sze Fei-Izzuddin and head to Paris with the best possible seeding and momentum in their bid to win a second world title. There's a real opportunity for Aaron-Wooi Yik to overtake the top-ranked pair by shining in next month's Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27). Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be under pressure to defend their points, having won both events last year, while Aaron-Wooi Yik are set to gain significantly, having not competed in either tournament in 2024. "Aaron-Wooi Yik are already in a strong position. But if they can become world No 1, why not?" said Herry at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Friday. "It will help them in the seeding and draw process at the World Championships. "Of course, it's not just about the ranking. They're preparing to do well in both Japan and China." Currently, Sze Fei-Izzuddin lead with 91,090 points, with Aaron–Wooi Yik just 1,220 points behind on 89,870. The China Open offers 13,500 ranking points to the winners, while the Japan Open champions will collect 11,000 points. Herry also believes that even world No 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun shouldn't be ruled out of the race.
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
World No 1 Sze Fei-Izzuddin ready to smash goals with RTG backing
KUALA LUMPUR: World No 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are confident that joining the Road to Gold (RTG) programme will help them maintain their top ranking and achieve more on the international stage. The independent pair accepted the government's offer to join RTG on Wednesday. "We are honoured to join RTG for the first time," Sze Fei posted on Instagram. "The additional support will help us greatly as we aim to maintain our ranking and achieve big things this year. "A big thanks to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for offering us a chance to be part of the initiative." Sze Fei-Izzuddin were previously not part of RTG, as they had yet to break into the top 10 of the world rankings. However, a stellar run in 2024, including titles at the Japan Open, China Open and Arctic Open, saw them finish the year as world No 3, and they have since climbed to the summit. With their inclusion in RTG, the pair will now receive added backing — from sports science support to monthly allowances — to help them prepare for major tournaments, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Still, staying in the programme won't be easy. From 2025, RTG will implement stricter benchmarks, requiring athletes to finish in the top eight of the World Championships and the world rankings. In 2027 and 2028, the bar will be raised even higher, with athletes needing to be in the top four of both to retain their RTG benefits. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also face another immediate test: holding on to the No 1 spot. Their fiercest challengers are none other than compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, the Olympic bronze medallists who are currently ranked world No 2 and also part of the RTG programme.
The Star
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Pearly says the ball is in BAM's court
PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are now waiting patiently as they say the ball is now in the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) court regarding their contracts. The national No. 1 women's doubles pair are still yet to renew their contracts in BAM which expired last December but Pearly said all the discussions had been completed and they are waiting for BAM to make an announcement. A press conference is expected to take place soon. "It's not that I'm purposely delaying things. I'm also waiting for an answer. There will be a press conference but I don't know when," said Pearly when approached by the media at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Friday (June 20). BAM officials were initially supposed to meet Pearly-Thinaah after the Thailand Open last month for final talks on their future in the national body. The meeting though was postponed due to the duo's hectic tournament schedule. Pearly-Thinaah, who went on to win the Thailand tourney, have a break from competitions now before they are due to play next in the back-to-back Japan Open from July 15-20 and China Open from July 22-27.
The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Herry challenges Aaron-Wooi Yik to reach world No. 1 before world meet
PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has challenged shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to reach the top ranking for the first time before the World Championships from Aug 25 to 31 in Paris. Currently at No. 2, Aaron-Wooi Yik have a chance to overtake fellow Malaysians Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for the top spot when they compete next in the back-to-back Japan Open (July 15-20) and China Open (July 22-27). Those in the former group are hot on the heels of the independent pair, with 89,870 ranking points to their 91,090. Herry has urged Aaron-Wooi Yik to take this opportunity to finally achieve the elusive milestone in their careers and give themselves a huge boost before the prestigious world meet. "For me, it's important for Aaron-Wooi Yik to become world No. 1 before the world meet," said Herry after overseeing a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Friday (June 20). "If they can achieve this, then it will be good as it will give them a better seeding in the tournament. "They have a chance, and this (becoming world No. 1) has been one of their personal targets." Based on their hot form since April under Herry's guidance, Aaron-Wooi Yik have a good opportunity to overtake Sze Fei-Izzuddin. The 2022 world champions captured the Asian Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open titles and finished runners-up to world No. 7 teammates Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the Malaysian Masters. Meanwhile, Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who became world No. 1 last month, have struggled for consistency this year. The pair captured the Indian Open in January but failed to reach the semi-finals in all their outings since their triumph. Sze Fei-Izzuddin also face a fight to hold on to their top spot as they won both the Japan and China Opens last year and need to do well this year too to protect their ranking points. Aaron-Wooi Yik, on the other hand, missed both the tourneys last year due to the latter's toe injury and does not have to worry about defending any points. The draw for the Japan Open, which will be held in Tokyo, will be released on July 8.
