Taipei: Malaysia will have representatives in the men’s doubles and women’s doubles semifinals of the Taipei Open after Aaron Chia-Aaron Tai and Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan recorded impressive quarterfinal victories on Friday.
Aaron and Tai continued the promising start to their new partnership by defeating Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in three games.
Top seeds Pearly and Thinaah progressed in straight games, while Justin Hoh and the young women’s doubles combination of Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan saw their campaigns end in the quarterfinals.
The men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles semifinal lineups were also completed following a series of closely contested matches at the BWF World Tour Super 300 badminton tournament.
Aaron Chia-Aaron Tai Complete Impressive Comeback
Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai recovered from a slow start to defeat Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan 15-21, 21-7, 21-18 in 44 minutes.
The Malaysian pair struggled to contain the world No. 17 combination during the opening game. Lee and Yang controlled the attacking exchanges and took advantage of several loose returns to win 21-15.
Aaron and Tai responded emphatically after the change of ends. They increased the pace, controlled the front court and placed Lee and Yang under constant pressure.
The Malaysians dominated the second game 21-7, turning what had appeared to be a difficult quarterfinal into a deciding-game battle.
The third game was much closer. Both pairs had opportunities to create separation, but Aaron and Tai remained composed during the final rallies and completed the comeback 21-18.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Winners: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai of Malaysia
- Opponents: Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei
- Score: 15-21, 21-7, 21-18
- Match duration: 44 minutes
New Malaysian Pair Shows Rapid Progress
The victory was especially meaningful because the Taipei Open is only the second tournament Aaron and Tai have played together.
Their debut at the China Open ended in disappointment when they were eliminated in the first round, but their performances in Taipei have shown clear improvement in communication, positioning and court coverage.
Defeating a more established partnership such as Lee and Yang provided further evidence that the Malaysians are beginning to understand each other’s strengths.
Aaron and Tai are now one victory away from reaching their first final as a partnership.
Aaron-Tai Face Chen Cheng Kuan-Liu Kuang Heng
Aaron and Tai will face another Chinese Taipei combination, Chen Cheng Kuan and Liu Kuang Heng, in the semifinals.
The Malaysians will enter the match with confidence after eliminating one of the tournament’s strongest home pairs in the quarterfinals.
- Men’s doubles semifinal: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai of Malaysia vs. Chen Cheng Kuan/Liu Kuang Heng of Chinese Taipei
Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan Advance in Straight Games
In women’s doubles, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan moved closer to the championship with a controlled 21-14, 21-17 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chih-Chun and Yang Chu Yun.
The top-seeded Malaysians needed only 35 minutes to defeat the world No. 39 home combination.
Pearly and Thinaah established their attacking rhythm early and kept their opponents under pressure throughout the opening game.
Lin and Yang offered stronger resistance in the second, but the Malaysians handled the important closing rallies more effectively and completed the match without requiring a decider.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Winners: Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia
- Opponents: Lin Chih-Chun/Yang Chu Yun of Chinese Taipei
- Score: 21-14, 21-17
- Match duration: 35 minutes
- Seeds: Pearly/Thinaah are the top seeds
Pearly-Thinaah to Meet Francesca Corbett-Jennie Gai
Pearly and Thinaah will face Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai of the United States in the semifinals.
As the tournament’s top seeds, the Malaysians will be expected to challenge strongly for a place in the final, although they will need to maintain the consistency displayed in their quarterfinal victory.
- Women’s doubles semifinal: Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia vs. Francesca Corbett/Jennie Gai of the United States
Justin Hoh Falls to Yoo Tae Bin
Malaysia’s challenge in men’s singles ended after Justin Hoh was defeated by South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin in the quarterfinals.
The world No. 50 Malaysian remained competitive in both games but eventually lost 17-21, 18-21 in 40 minutes.
Justin fought to stay within reach during the closing stages, but Yoo was more consistent when the rallies became increasingly important.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Winner: Yoo Tae Bin of South Korea
- Opponent: Justin Hoh of Malaysia
- Score: 21-17, 21-18
- Match duration: 40 minutes
Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Bow Out
Malaysia’s young women’s doubles pair Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan also saw their run end in the quarterfinals.
The Malaysians were pushed through a demanding contest before losing to Thailand’s Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan.
Despite the defeat, reaching the last eight represented another valuable result for the developing Malaysian partnership.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Winners: Hathaithip Mijad/Napapakorn Tungkasatan of Thailand
- Opponents: Low Zi Yu/Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan of Malaysia
Chou Tien Chen Reaches Men’s Singles Semifinals
Top seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei continued his title challenge with a straight-game victory over compatriot Wang Yu-Kai.
Chou controlled the quarterfinal from the opening stages and completed a 21-18, 21-10 win.
He will next face Japan’s fourth seed Yudai Okimoto, who defeated India’s Kiran George 21-12, 21-10.
- Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei defeated Wang Yu-Kai of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-10
- Yudai Okimoto of Japan defeated Kiran George of India 21-12, 21-10
Lin Chun-Yi Recovers to Beat Jason Gunawan
Second seed Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei recovered after losing the opening game to defeat Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan 19-21, 21-11, 21-12.
Jason made the stronger start and edged the opening game, but Lin took control of the remaining two and pulled away comfortably in the decider.
Lin will meet South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin in the semifinals after Yoo ended Justin Hoh’s campaign.
Men’s Singles Quarterfinal Results
- Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei defeated Wang Yu-Kai of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-10
- Yudai Okimoto of Japan defeated Kiran George of India 21-12, 21-10
- Yoo Tae Bin of South Korea defeated Justin Hoh of Malaysia 21-17, 21-18
- Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei defeated Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong 19-21, 21-11, 21-12
Men’s Singles Semifinals
- Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei vs. Yudai Okimoto of Japan
- Yoo Tae Bin of South Korea vs. Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei
Nguyen Thuy Linh Knocks Out Women’s Singles Top Seed
Vietnam’s sixth seed Nguyen Thuy Linh produced one of the most notable results of the day by eliminating top-seeded Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei.
Nguyen won the opening game before Chiu forced a decider. The Vietnamese player regained control in the third to complete a 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 victory.
Nguyen will face India’s third seed Unnati Hooda, who overcame compatriot Devika Sihag 23-21, 21-16.
Tanvi Sharma Stuns Supanida Katethong
India’s Tanvi Sharma also advanced after defeating Thailand’s fourth seed Supanida Katethong in three games.
Tanvi took the opening game 21-15 before Supanida responded 21-18. The Indian player recovered in the decider and secured the match 21-14.
Tanvi will meet Chinese Taipei’s fifth seed Huang Yu-Hsun, who came from behind to defeat compatriot Lin Hsiang Ti 17-21, 21-13, 21-18.
Women’s Singles Quarterfinal Results
- Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam defeated Chiu Pin-Chian of Chinese Taipei 21-14, 19-21, 21-13
- Unnati Hooda of India defeated Devika Sihag of India 23-21, 21-16
- Tanvi Sharma of India defeated Supanida Katethong of Thailand 21-15, 18-21, 21-14
- Huang Yu-Hsun of Chinese Taipei defeated Lin Hsiang Ti of Chinese Taipei 17-21, 21-13, 21-18
Women’s Singles Semifinals
- Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam vs. Unnati Hooda of India
- Tanvi Sharma of India vs. Huang Yu-Hsun of Chinese Taipei
Yuta Watanabe-Maya Taguchi Eliminate Mixed Doubles Top Seeds
Japan’s eighth seeds Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi delivered an impressive mixed doubles performance to eliminate Chinese Taipei’s top seeds Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan.
The Japanese pair won 21-18, 21-7, dominating the second game after a more competitive opening contest.
Watanabe and Taguchi will face Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja in the semifinals.
Rehan and Gloria recovered from an opening-game defeat to overcome Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh and Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn 17-21, 21-16, 21-10.
Two Chinese Taipei Pairs Reach Mixed Doubles Semifinals
Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin kept the home challenge alive by defeating Thailand’s fourth seeds Ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat.
The Chinese Taipei pair lost the opening game but recovered to win 14-21, 21-16, 21-18.
They will meet compatriots Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang, who defeated Japan’s Haruki Kawabe and Kokona Ishikawa 21-12, 21-12.
Mixed Doubles Quarterfinal Results
- Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi of Japan defeated Ye Hong Wei/Nicole Gonzales Chan of Chinese Taipei 21-18, 21-7
- Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia defeated Supak Jomkoh/Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn of Thailand 17-21, 21-16, 21-10
- Wu Guan Xun/Lee Chia Hsin of Chinese Taipei defeated Ruttanapak Oupthong/Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand 14-21, 21-16, 21-18
- Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang of Chinese Taipei defeated Haruki Kawabe/Kokona Ishikawa of Japan 21-12, 21-12
Mixed Doubles Semifinals
- Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi of Japan vs. Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja of Indonesia
- Wu Guan Xun/Lee Chia Hsin of Chinese Taipei vs. Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang of Chinese Taipei
Malaysia’s Taipei Open Semifinalists
- Men’s doubles: Aaron Chia/Aaron Tai
- Women’s doubles: Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan
Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai’s rapid progress remains one of the most encouraging Malaysian badminton news stories from the Taipei Open.
The newly formed pair have responded strongly after their early China Open elimination and are now one match away from reaching a World Tour final together.
Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan also remain firmly in contention for the women’s doubles title after producing a composed straight-game performance in the quarterfinals.
With the semifinal lineups now confirmed across the tournament, both Malaysian pairs will attempt to extend their runs and secure places in the Taipei Open finals.
