Tokyo — Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were handed a shocking early exit from the Japan Open 2025, crashing out in the first round after a dominant display by fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi.
In a match that lasted just 30 minutes, Ong and Teo overwhelmed the second-seeded pair in straight sets, 21-15, 21-15, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The result marks Aaron–Soh’s second consecutive first-round exit, following their early defeat at the Indonesia Open last month.
Watch Highlights of Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi vs. Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the 2025 Japan Open first round:
Despite entering as strong favorites, Aaron–Soh struggled from the outset. They trailed 6-12 in the first game and couldn’t capitalize on a brief comeback to 14-16. The second set played out in similar fashion — after clawing back to level at 13-13 from 0-4, they faltered again and could not pass the 15-point mark.
The loss brings their head-to-head record to 3 wins and 6 losses against Ong–Teo, who were formerly teammates under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Notably, Ong–Teo claimed a World Championship bronze medal in 2021, a year before Aaron–Soh won gold at the same venue in Tokyo.
The early defeat, though disappointing, gives Aaron–Soh time to regroup for the upcoming Super 1000 China Open and World Championships in Paris this August.
🎯 Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan Cruise Into Second Round
Malaysia’s leading women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan opened their campaign on a high note, sweeping aside Bulgaria’s Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva 21-16, 21-14 in just 31 minutes.
Fresh off extending their contract with BAM until 2028, the world No. 3 pair looked sharp and focused throughout their first-round match.
They will next face Taiwan’s Hsieh Pei Shan and Hung En-Tzu, who advanced after defeating the American duo Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai.
Pearly–Thinaah remain the only Malaysian women’s pair left in the draw after early exits by Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting and Go Pei Kee–Teoh Mei Xing.
🏸 Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun Advance After All-Malaysian Clash
In men’s doubles, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun (WR No. 7) outlasted fellow countrymen Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King in a thrilling 48-minute encounter, winning 30-28, 21-12.
The tightly contested opening game set the stage for a dominant second, with Wei Chong and Kai Wun sealing the win.
They will face China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang in the second round, who pulled off an upset over Thailand’s seasoned pair Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh.
