Aaron-Wooi Yik, ranked world No 2, defeated China’s 11th ranked Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi 21-11, 21-19 in 42 minutes in the semi-final played at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham early this morning.

However, world No 2 pair Pearly-Thinaah went down to top South Korean pair Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee 17-21, 18-21 in a gruelling 69-minute match.

Aaron-Wooi Yik hope to be third-time lucky after having finished as runners-up at the All England championships in 2019 and 2024, losing to Indonesian rivals on both occasions.

The two-time Olympics bronze medallists will meet world No 1 pair Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the final. The Koreans defeated Indonesia’s Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin in the other semi-final.

Aaron-Wooi Yik, who won the Indonesia Masters in January, could end the 19-year wait for a Malaysian pair to win the All England crown, last won by Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in 2007.

They will take home US$107,300 (RM423,433) if they win, or settle for US$50,750 (RM200,273) as runners-up.

Pearly-Thinaah missed a great opportunity to create badminton history after going down to Ha Na-So Hee. The world No 4 South Korean pair have now beaten them four times in their seven meetings so far.

Their semi-final appearance was the first time in 19 years by a Malaysian women’s doubles pair in the championships. In 2007, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty made it to the last four.

Pearly-Thinaah, who won their first title this year at the Indonesia Masters in January, pocketed US$20,300 (RM80,107) as semi-finalists.