Malaysia Masters: Three Malaysian Men's Doubles Pairs Surge Into Last Eight

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s men's doubles brigade remains the country's biggest weapon at the Malaysia Masters 2026 after three pairs stormed into the quarter-finals, here, tomorrow.

Leading the charge were top seeds and national number one duo Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who produced yet another commanding display to dismantle France's Julien Maio-William Villeger 21-12, 21-10 in just 30 minutes during the second round at Unifi Arena, Bukit Jalil, here, today.

The 2022 world champions will next face China's Hu Ke Yuan-Lin Xiang Yi for a place in the semi-finals after the unseeded pair defeated India's Hariharan Amsakarunan-M.R. Arjun 21-14, 21-15.

Wooi Yik credited the victory to their improved adaptation to the playing conditions compared to their opening-round encounter against Singapore's Wesley Koh-Kubo Junsuke, which they won 19-21, 21-10, 21-12.

“We have adapted to the shuttle and we play much better, not many errors today,” he told reporters after the match.

Aaron, on the other hand, said they would not take their next opponents lightly despite having beaten Ke Yuan-Xiang Yi in the second round of the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, last April.

Meanwhile, professional pair and third seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani had little trouble overcoming compatriots Chia Weijie-Teo Ee Yi 21-14, 21-12 in 29 minutes.

Despite the comfortable win, Sze Fei felt there was still room for improvement heading into their match against either eighth seeds Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi of Japan or Taiwan's Chen Zhi Ray-Lin Yu Chieh in the last eight.

Also advancing are fifth seeds Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who overcame their younger compatriots Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai 21-12, 22-20 to secure a quarter-final meeting with American pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith.

The Americans prevented an all-Malaysian quarter-final showdown after prevailing against professional duo Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 21-14, 21-18 in the second round.

The Super 500 tournament, which runs until May 24, offers a total prize purse of US$500,000 (RM1.98 million).
-- BERNAMA