KUMAMOTO, Japan, November 14, 2026 – Malaysia’s rising men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King advanced to the final of the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026 on Saturday after defeating Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard 21-18, 21-18 in the semifinals.
The Malaysian duo needed just 38 minutes to overcome the world No. 14 Danish combination at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium, securing their second final appearance since forming their partnership.
Aaron and Roy King will now face Japan’s former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi in Sunday’s final, with the Malaysians chasing their second title together following their Arctic Open triumph last month.
Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King Continue Impressive Run
The victory over Lundgaard and Vestergaard extended Aaron and Roy King’s encouraging run at the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament.
After defeating Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan 21-16, 21-12 in Friday’s quarterfinals, the Malaysians maintained their consistency against the Danish pair.
Aaron and Roy King took the opening game 21-18 before repeating the score in the second, completing another straight-game victory to reach the championship match.
Their progress is particularly significant considering they won the Arctic Open in their debut tournament as a partnership last month.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has previously expressed hope that the young combination can maintain consistent performances and strengthen Malaysia’s challenge alongside its established men’s doubles pairs.
Reaching another World Tour final provides Aaron and Roy King with an opportunity to build on that early success.
Watch: Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King vs Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard Highlights
Video source: Euro Rally.
Hoki and Kobayashi Beat Wang Chang-Xie Haonan to Reach Final
Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi booked their place in the final after defeating China’s Wang Chang and Xie Haonan 21-15, 19-21, 21-17 in a closely contested semifinal.
The Japanese pair took the opening game 21-15, but Wang and Xie responded with a 21-19 victory in the second to force a decider.
Hoki and Kobayashi eventually prevailed 21-17 in the deciding game, ending the Chinese combination’s campaign in the semifinals.
The result sets up a Malaysia-Japan men’s doubles final, with Aaron and Roy King looking to secure another title against the experienced Japanese partnership.
Lakshya Sen and Koki Watanabe Set Up Men’s Singles Final
In men’s singles, India’s eighth seed Lakshya Sen advanced to the final after defeating Indonesia’s sixth seed Alwi Farhan 21-12, 15-21, 21-11.
Sen took the opening game comfortably before Farhan fought back to win the second. However, the Indian regained control in the decider, taking it 21-11 to secure his place in Sunday’s championship match.
Sen will face Japan’s Koki Watanabe, who produced one of the day’s notable results by defeating Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn 14-21, 21-11, 23-21.
After losing the opening game, Watanabe responded emphatically in the second before edging the deciding game 23-21, eliminating the higher-seeded Thai star and advancing to the final on home soil.
Watch: Koki Watanabe vs Kunlavut Vitidsarn Semifinal Highlights
Video source: BWF.
Kumamoto Masters 2026 Finals – November 15
Men’s Doubles Final
Aaron Tai / Yap Roy King (Malaysia) vs Takuro Hoki / Yugo Kobayashi (Japan)
Men’s Singles Final
Lakshya Sen (India) vs Koki Watanabe (Japan)
For Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King, Sunday’s final offers another opportunity to underline their growing credentials on the international badminton circuit. A victory would give the Malaysian partnership its second title in just two months.
Complete Tournament Results
Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026 – Semifinals, November 14. All completed matches shown in the supplied men’s singles and men’s doubles semifinal results.
Men’s Singles
Lakshya Sen (India) defeated Alwi Farhan (Indonesia), 21-12, 15-21, 21-11.
Koki Watanabe (Japan) defeated Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand), 14-21, 21-11, 23-21.
Men’s Doubles
Takuro Hoki / Yugo Kobayashi (Japan) defeated Wang Chang / Xie Haonan (China), 21-15, 19-21, 21-17.
Aaron Tai / Yap Roy King (Malaysia) defeated Daniel Lundgaard / Mads Vestergaard (Denmark), 21-18, 21-18.
