South Korea: Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai continued their encouraging start as a men’s doubles partnership by advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Korea Masters.
The Malaysians delivered a commanding performance to defeat the South Korean-Malaysian professional combination of Choi Sol Gyu and Goh V Shem 21-14, 21-13 in the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 300 badminton tournament.
Fresh from finishing runners-up at the Taipei Open last week, Aaron and Tai controlled the match from beginning to end and rarely allowed their experienced opponents to establish a consistent attacking rhythm.
Aaron Chia-Aaron Tai Cruise Into Korea Masters Last Eight
Aaron and Tai immediately applied pressure through their speed, front-court interceptions and disciplined defensive play.
The Malaysians gradually created separation in the opening game before closing it out 21-14.
Choi and Goh were unable to produce a sustained response in the second game. Aaron and Tai maintained control of the service exchanges and repeatedly created opportunities to attack, completing the victory 21-13.
- Category: Men’s doubles second round
- Winners: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai of Malaysia
- Opponents: Choi Sol Gyu of South Korea/Goh V Shem of Malaysia
- Score: 21-14, 21-13
- Outcome: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai advanced to the quarterfinals
New Malaysian Partnership Continues to Improve
The Korea Masters is only Aaron and Tai’s third tournament together, but their understanding on court has continued to improve.
The partnership was formed as part of Malaysian men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi’s ongoing restructuring of the national squad.
After reaching the Taipei Open final in only their second tournament together, Aaron and Tai have carried that momentum into South Korea with two straight-game victories.
Their latest result also showed that they are becoming more comfortable with their respective responsibilities during attacking and defensive situations.
Possible All-Malaysian Quarterfinal
Aaron and Tai will meet either fellow Malaysians Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King or South Korea’s Jin Yong and Lee Jong Min in the quarterfinals.
Should Tee and Yap advance, Malaysia would be guaranteed at least one representative in the men’s doubles semifinals.
- Possible quarterfinal opponent: Tee Kai Wun/Yap Roy King of Malaysia
- Possible quarterfinal opponent: Jin Yong/Lee Jong Min of South Korea
Chen Tang Jie-Clarissa San Reach First Quarterfinal Together
Malaysia also enjoyed success in mixed doubles as Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San reached their first quarterfinal as a partnership.
The newly assembled pair defeated Chinese Taipei’s Wu Hsuan Yi and Yang Chu Yun 21-11, 13-21, 21-12 in 41 minutes.
Tang Jie and Clarissa were paired following an injury to Toh Ee Wei and have gradually developed a better understanding with each match.
They dominated the opening game 21-11 but lost their rhythm in the second as Wu and Yang responded 21-13.
The Malaysians regained control in the decider, combining stronger defensive organization with more decisive attacking play to complete the victory 21-12.
- Category: Mixed doubles second round
- Winners: Chen Tang Jie/Clarissa San of Malaysia
- Opponents: Wu Hsuan Yi/Yang Chu Yun of Chinese Taipei
- Score: 21-11, 13-21, 21-12
- Match duration: 41 minutes
Tang Jie and Clarissa will next face Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa for a place in the semifinals.
Loo Bing Kun-Noraqilah Maisarah Continue Impressive Run
Young Malaysian mixed doubles pair Loo Bing Kun and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan also secured a quarterfinal place.
They defeated Australia’s Andika Ramadiansyah and Nozomi Shimizu 22-20, 21-15.
The first game remained close until the final rallies, but Loo and Noraqilah held their nerve to take it 22-20. They then produced a more controlled performance in the second game and completed the victory 21-15.
- Winners: Loo Bing Kun/Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan of Malaysia
- Opponents: Andika Ramadiansyah/Nozomi Shimizu of Australia
- Score: 22-20, 21-15
A difficult test awaits them in the quarterfinals against China’s third seeds Gao Jia Xuan and Wu Meng Ying.
Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin Survive Dramatic Decider
Fifth seeds Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin became Malaysia’s third mixed doubles pair to reach the last eight after completing a dramatic comeback against South Korea’s Kim Joon Young and Lee Yu Lim.
The home pair won the opening game 21-13, but Jimmy and Cheng responded by taking the second 21-15.
The deciding game developed into a tense battle, with neither partnership able to establish a decisive lead. The Malaysians eventually converted their opportunity to win 25-23.
- Winners: Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin of Malaysia
- Opponents: Kim Joon Young/Lee Yu Lim of South Korea
- Score: 13-21, 21-15, 25-23
- Seeds: Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin were seeded fifth
Jimmy and Cheng will face South Korea’s second seeds Kim Jae Hyeon and Jang Ha Jeong in the quarterfinals.
Malaysia’s Korea Masters Quarterfinalists
- Men’s doubles: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai
- Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie/Clarissa San
- Mixed doubles: Loo Bing Kun/Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan
- Mixed doubles: Jimmy Wong/Cheng Su Yin
Aaron-Aaron Provide More Encouraging Badminton News
Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai’s latest victory provides another positive development for Malaysian badminton as the national coaching team continues to evaluate its reshuffled partnerships.
Although they have played only three tournaments together, the pair has already reached one World Tour final and another quarterfinal.
Their performance against Choi and Goh was especially encouraging because they defeated an experienced partnership without dropping a game.
The Korea Masters quarterfinals will provide another important test of whether Aaron and Tai can maintain their consistency and challenge for a second consecutive appearance in a badminton final.
