KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King will look to avenge their compatriots’ defeats against Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard in Saturday’s Kumamoto Masters men’s doubles semi-finals in Japan.
A victory for the world No. 57 will also keep compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s World Tour Finals qualification hopes alive.
Aaron Tai-Roy King reached the semi-finals after upsetting Taiwan’s world No. 15 Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan 21-16, 21-12 in 28 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium on Friday.
It was their second straight upset in the tournament after defeating world No. 5 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin 21-14, 21-15 in the second round a day earlier.
World No. 14 Lundgaard-Vestergaard overcame Japan’s Hiroki Okamura-Kyohei Yamashita 21-14, 21-14 in their quarter-final match, having beaten Malaysia’s Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the opening two rounds.
National coach Chang Kim Wai urged Tai-Roy King to maintain consistency against the Danes.
“The Danish pair are currently on form, but so are Aaron Tai-Roy King,” said Kim Wai.
“There is still a chance for Aaron Tai-Roy King to reach the final. I believe the pair that maintains focus and perform will win the semi-final encounter.”
Lundgaard-Vestergaard sit just 130 points behind Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik, who currently occupy the eighth and final qualifying spot for the season-ending World Tour Finals in Hangzhou next month.
Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik remain in contention for one of the eight men’s doubles berths despite injury concerns disrupting their campaign, with the latter recovering from a heel problem and the former troubled by a shoulder issue.
With the Danes close behind in the Race to Finals standings, another victory for Lundgaard-Vestergaard would strengthen their bid for a place in Hangzhou, whereas an Aaron Tai-Roy King win would prevent them from collecting more points.
For Aaron Tai-Roy King, the semi-final also offers an opportunity to extend their strong start as partners.
The pair have reached three semi-finals in five tournaments since joining forces last month, winning the Arctic Open on debut before making the last four at the Hylo Open in Germany.
Another victory would put them through to their second final together and keep alive their hopes of adding another World Tour title to their collection.