Saarbrücken, Germany, October 29, 2026: Malaysia’s Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King produced a major upset at the 2026 HYLO Open on Thursday, defeating Indonesia’s world No. 7 men’s doubles pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 22-20, 21-19 to reach the quarterfinals.
It was another encouraging day for Malaysian badminton at the BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, as independent mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing also advanced to the last eight with a convincing 21-9, 21-16 victory over Chinese Taipei’s world No. 10 combination Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang.
Both Malaysian pairs eliminated higher-ranked opponents in straight games, continuing their strong performances during the European badminton circuit.
Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King Upset World No. 7 Indonesian Pair
World No. 74 Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King delivered one of the biggest upsets of the HYLO Open men’s doubles second round by defeating the Indonesian world No. 7 combination in two closely contested games.
The Malaysians began strongly, establishing a 6-2 advantage in the opening game. However, Sabar and Reza responded with four consecutive points to level the score at 6-6.
Neither pair managed to establish a decisive advantage as the game progressed. The Indonesians moved ahead 17-15, but Aaron and Roy King recovered to take an 18-20 lead and earn two game points.
Sabar and Reza saved both opportunities to level the score at 20-20, but the Malaysians held their nerve to claim the next two points and secure the opening game 22-20.
The second game followed a similar pattern.
Aaron and Roy King opened a 10-6 lead before the Indonesians produced five unanswered points to enter the mid-game interval ahead 11-10.
The contest remained close after the break, with both pairs exchanging points until the score reached 17-17.
The Malaysians eventually gained the advantage in the closing stages, completing a 21-19 victory to eliminate the higher-ranked Indonesians.
The result represents another significant achievement for Aaron and Roy King, who captured the Arctic Open Super 500 title earlier this month.
Watch Highlights: Aaron Tai/Yap Roy King vs. Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani – 2026 HYLO Open
Aaron-Yap Face Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi-Lin
Aaron and Roy King will next face Chinese Taipei’s fifth seeds Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin in Friday’s quarterfinals.
The Malaysian pair entered the HYLO Open after second-round exits at the Denmark Open and French Open, but their victory over Sabar and Reza provides another opportunity to build on their Arctic Open championship.
A place in the semifinals would mark another important result for the partnership following their recent return to competition together.
Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing Defeat World No. 10 Pair in 25 Minutes
Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing continued their impressive European campaign with a dominant victory over Chinese Taipei’s Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang.
The world No. 24 Malaysians needed just 25 minutes to defeat their world No. 10 opponents 21-9, 21-16 in the mixed doubles second round.
Hoo and Lai took control of the opening game, winning 21-9 before completing the match with a 21-16 victory in the second.
The result marked another encouraging performance for the independent Malaysian combination, who have steadily improved since forming their partnership approximately six months ago.
After suffering a first-round defeat at the Arctic Open three weeks earlier, Hoo and Lai reached the Denmark Open semifinals before finishing runners-up at the French Open last Sunday.
They also reached the China Masters final in September, giving them two runner-up finishes at Super 750 tournaments within a relatively short partnership.
Hoo-Lai Remain Focused on One Match at a Time
Despite their recent success, Hoo and Lai are keeping their expectations measured as they pursue another deep tournament run.
Hoo, 28, said the pair are not setting ambitious targets for the HYLO Open, preferring to concentrate on each match.
“We haven’t set very high expectations here. We just want to take it one match at a time,” Hoo said.
Lai, 34, echoed that approach.
“Right now, we’re just focusing on improving our game,” she said.
The Malaysians will face Hong Kong’s world No. 26 combination Chan Yin Chak and Ng Tsz Yau in Friday’s quarterfinals.
A victory would send Hoo and Lai into their second semifinal in three consecutive European tournaments, following their Denmark Open semifinal and French Open final appearances.
Malaysia Targets HYLO Open Semifinal Places
With Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King advancing in men’s doubles and Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing progressing in mixed doubles, Malaysia will have at least two combinations competing for semifinal places on Friday.
Both pairs have already secured notable victories against higher-ranked opposition in Saarbrücken.
For Aaron and Roy King, the challenge is maintaining their momentum against Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin.
Hoo and Lai, meanwhile, will look to extend their consistent run of results against Hong Kong’s Chan Yin Chak and Ng Tsz Yau.
The quarterfinals will offer both Malaysian partnerships another opportunity to strengthen their credentials on the BWF World Tour.
Complete Tournament Results
2026 HYLO Open – Men’s Doubles Round of 16
Aaron Tai/Yap Roy King (Malaysia) defeated Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani (Indonesia), 22-20, 21-19.
2026 HYLO Open – Mixed Doubles Round of 16
Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing (Malaysia) defeated Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang (Chinese Taipei), 21-9, 21-16.
