KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik delivered a statement performance at the Malaysia Open 2026, overcoming Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani to secure a place in the semi-finals.
The former world champions prevailed 21–19, 21–10 in the quarter-finals, avenging a series of painful defeats suffered at the hands of the Indonesian duo over the past year.
Redemption After a Difficult Head-to-Head
Coming into the match, Chia and Soh had lost their previous three meetings against Sabar and Reza, including two defeats at last year’s SEA Games. Determined to rewrite the script on home soil, the Malaysians showed composure and tactical discipline when it mattered most.
The opening game was fiercely contested, locked at 18–18 before Chia and Soh raised the tempo, winning three of the final points to claim the first set 21–19.
From there, momentum swung decisively. The Malaysian pair stormed into the second game with a blistering 7–0 start and never looked back, controlling the rallies and closing out the match convincingly 21–10.
Malaysia’s Lone Men’s Doubles Hope
With other Malaysian men’s doubles and mixed doubles pairs exiting earlier in the day, Chia and Soh now carry the nation’s remaining hopes in these categories.
Their semi-final challenge will come against Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, who advanced after defeating India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21–10, 23–21.
The winner of that encounter will book a place in the Malaysia Open final, as Chia and Soh look to end a seven-year wait for a home men’s doubles title.
Korean Pair Remain a Formidable Force
Elsewhere in the men’s doubles draw, Korea’s Seo Seung Jae and Kim Won Ho continued their dominance, extending their perfect record against Malaysia’s Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun with a straight-games victory 21–17, 21–14.
The result marked their sixth consecutive win over the Malaysian pair, underlining their status as one of the tournament favourites.
Shi Yuqi Cruises Into Semi-Finals
In men’s singles action, China’s world No.1 Shi Yuqi eased into the semi-finals with a commanding 21–10, 21–7 win over Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu.
The match lasted just 31 minutes, with Shi securing his ninth win in 14 career meetings against the Hong Kong shuttler.
Shi will next face Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, who advanced after dispatching Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 21–9, 21–12.
Mixed Doubles Exit for Chen–Toh
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei saw their campaign come to an end after a three-game defeat to Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet 17–21, 21–17, 10–21.
Following the loss, Chen and Toh expressed gratitude to the home crowd for their unwavering support, acknowledging that despite giving their all, the result was not meant to be.
As the Malaysia Open heads into its decisive stages, all eyes will now be on Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik as they attempt to keep Malaysian hopes alive on home soil.
