KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has claimed that men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had a rare "off day" when they suffered a shock first-round exit at the Indonesia Masters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik were beaten 20-22, 21-19, 21-16 by Denmark's world No. 28 Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard in 63 minutes at the Istora Senayan.
Rexy denied claims by badminton followers that exhaustion had anything to do with the defeat while saying their defence was lacking and that they uncharacteristically sent many of their lifts to the baseline wide.
"It was not about being exhausted. Their defence wasn't solid and they were making too many mistakes in lifting the shuttle to the baseline. Many lifts went wide, especially in the second and third games," said Rexy.
"The Danish pair also took a lot of initiative in controlling net play, and this gave them some advantage."
The Indonesia Master blotted Aaron-Wooi Yik's fine start to the new season, after finishing runners-up at the Malaysia Open and reaching the semi-finals at the India Open last week.
Though the lifting errors in their game were probably caused by the draught at the Istora Senayan, it may also indicate that Aaron-Wooi Yik lack the power to maintain their attacks.
Thus, Rexy stressed that improving their physical condition to last the pace in the World Tour will be something national doubles head coach Herry IP will focus on.
The men's doubles category has proved to be the most keenly contested on the World Tour, making it difficult for any pairs to dominate for long spells.
Only world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae managed that last year, with the South Koreans winning 11 titles. But the physical toll is starting to show its effects, as after winning the Malaysia Open two weeks ago, they were forced to withdraw from the India Open.
Aaron-Wooi Yik may have felt similar effects in Jakarta, where they were playing in their 25th tournament in the last 13 months.
After the Jakarta setback, they will have five weeks to improve their physical condition and improve their game before the All England on March 3-8.
