‘Junior’ Aaron and Kang raise hope for Asian meet after Europe high
PETALING JAYA: Boys’ doubles Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing were unable to complete an European double after losing to China pair Chen Yongrui-Chen Zhehan in the final of the German Junior Open in Berlin on Sunday.

Aaron-Khai Xing, who won the Dutch Junior Open in Haarlem last week, were beaten 20-22, 16-21 by Yongrui-Zhehan but the two tournaments have given a clear indication on their challengers in the upcoming Asian Junior Championships in Bali in July.

The top Malaysian pair had beaten the same pair in the semi-finals of the Dutch Junior Open before beating another China pair Hu Keyuan-Lin Xiangyi (21-18, 21-19) for the title.

National junior chief coach Jeffer Rosobin said Aaron-Khai Xing fell short in the final as they had to endure some tough earlier matches.

However, the former Indonesian international stressed that the Asian juniors will be an open affair and Malaysia would have a fighting chance in Bali with a better preparation.

“The boys’ doubles will be an open affair at the Asian juniors. If we can prepare well, Aaron-Khai Xing have a fighting chance,” said Jeffer.

“Both China pairs and other combination from the top Asian nations will be fighting for the title and I believe we can get a better result this time.

“Our pair need to improve on speed and power. This was lacking during the final as they looked a little tired after gong through some tough matches in the earlier rounds.

“Overall, it was a good outing for our players by competing in the Dutch and German tournaments and this will help them at the Asian juniors.”

No Malaysian player had reached the semi-final stage of the Asian Junior in the last two editions (2019 and 2023) while Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah were the last pair to finish runners-up in 2018.

FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Wang Zhijun (Chn) bt Zhang Zhijie (Chn) 21-13, 16-21, 21-16.

Men’s doubles: Chen Yongrui-Chen Zhehan (Chn) bt Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing 22-20, 21-16.

Women’s singles: Sarunrak Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Kim Min-jie (Kor) 21-10, 16-21, 21-18.

Women’s doubles: Chen Fanshu-Liu Jiayue (Chn) bt Cheon Hye-in-Kim Tae-yeon (Kor) 27-25, 21-19.

Mixed doubles: Hu Keyuan-Liu Jiayue (Chn) bt Lin Xiangyi-Liu Yuanyuan (Chn) 10-21, 24-22, 21-11.
Badminton,Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xin,German Junior Open
PETALING JAYA: Boys’ doubles Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing were unable to complete an European double after losing to China pair Chen Yongrui-Chen Zhehan in the final of the German Junior Open in Berlin on Sunday.