Chia Faces Tough Opener at China Open with New Partner

Malaysian badminton player Aaron Chia is set for a challenging start at the China Open in Changzhou, where he and his new partner, Aaron Tai, are scheduled to face the world No. 3 pair from India, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty. This formidable opening match comes shortly after the formation of their new partnership.

Chia acknowledged the difficulty of competing against elite world pairs but views the match as a crucial opportunity to test the capabilities of this newly formed "scratch pair." The partnership was established after Chia's former partner, Soh Wooi Yik, sustained an injury following the Paris 2024 Olympics. Chia is currently in the process of building chemistry with Tai.

"For now, we are still in the process of testing our chemistry as a new pair. What's important is to give our best and enjoy every match," Chia stated. He added that as a "scratch pair," they must be prepared to face any opponent, including seeded players. "Preparation is more important," he emphasized.

This collaboration marks a new experience for Chia, who has not previously played in World Tour tournaments with a temporary partner. He described the situation as a "new experience" and believes that Aaron Tai, a young and talented player, could make their partnership "something interesting." Chia also has positive memories of Changzhou, having been a runner-up there with Wooi Yik in 2023 and 2025.