Tokyo: Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai delivered one of Malaysia’s biggest results on the opening day of the 2026 Japan Open, staging a dramatic comeback to eliminate China’s seventh-seeded men’s doubles pair Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi.
Leong Jun Hao and fifth seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also progressed to the second round at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. However, Malaysia endured disappointment in women’s doubles as fifth seeds Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah suffered an early exit.
Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai Stun China’s Seventh Seeds
Competing in the men’s doubles category, unseeded Malaysians Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai recovered from a difficult opening game to defeat China’s seventh seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi 11-21, 26-24, 21-15.
The former world junior champions needed exactly one hour to complete the comeback against the Chinese world No. 8 pair.
Chen and Liu controlled the opening game, applying constant pressure and restricting the Malaysians to only 11 points. Khai Xing and Aaron appeared to be heading toward an early elimination when they found themselves under pressure again in the second game.
However, the young Malaysian pair refused to surrender. They saved themselves during a tense sequence of game points before finally taking the second game 26-24.
With momentum on their side, Khai Xing and Aaron played with greater confidence in the deciding game. Their attacking combinations became more effective, while their defensive work frustrated the Chinese pair. They eventually completed the upset by taking the decider 21-15.
The victory improved their head-to-head record against Chen and Liu to one win each.
Final Tournament Before Khai Xing-Aaron Partnership Ends
The result carried additional significance because the Japan Open is expected to be Khai Xing and Aaron’s final tournament together before Malaysia introduces another round of men’s doubles changes.
Beginning with next week’s China Open, Aaron Tai is scheduled to form a new partnership with former world champion Aaron Chia. Kang Khai Xing, meanwhile, is expected to team up with Wan Arif Wan Junaidi.
Their performance in Tokyo showed that Khai Xing and Aaron remain capable of challenging highly ranked opposition, even as they prepare to move in different directions.
They will next face Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-Huei and Yang Po-Hsuan in the men’s doubles round of 16. The Taiwanese pair are ranked world No. 17 and will present another demanding test for the Malaysians.
Leong Jun Hao Gains Revenge Against Chi Yu Jen
In men’s singles, Malaysia’s unseeded Leong Jun Hao made a composed start by defeating Chinese Taipei’s Chi Yu Jen 21-19, 21-16 in 50 minutes.
Jun Hao, ranked world No. 30, entered the match having lost his previous two meetings with the world No. 19 Taiwanese player. Those defeats came at the 2025 Malaysia Masters and the German Open earlier this year.
This time, Jun Hao settled into the rallies more quickly and maintained greater consistency when Chi attempted to increase the pace.
The opening game remained close until the final points, but Jun Hao stayed patient to secure it 21-19. He then played with greater control in the second game, limiting Chi’s attacking opportunities before closing out the match 21-16.
The result improved Jun Hao’s career record against Chi to four victories from seven meetings.
Jun Hao credited a productive month of training for helping him rediscover his speed and match rhythm. He also felt that his ability to establish his preferred playing pattern early was important against a physically strong and consistent opponent.
Christo Popov Awaits Jun Hao in Second Round
A considerably tougher challenge now awaits Jun Hao in the second round.
The Malaysian will face France’s fifth seed Christo Popov, who defeated China’s Weng Hong Yang 21-14, 23-21 in his opening match.
Popov’s speed, physical strength and ability to maintain pressure throughout long rallies will test Jun Hao’s consistency. The Malaysian will need another disciplined performance if he is to reach his first BWF World Tour quarterfinal of the season.
- Category: Men’s singles
- Result: Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia defeated Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei 21-19, 21-16
- Match duration: 50 minutes
- Next opponent: Fifth seed Christo Popov of France
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Reach Japan Open Round of 16
Malaysia’s fifth-seeded men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also began their campaign with a straight-game victory.
The world No. 6 Malaysians defeated China’s Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi 22-20, 21-18 in 37 minutes.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin were tested in both games, particularly during a tight opening contest. They remained calm at the closing stage to take the first game 22-20 before establishing greater control in the second.
The Malaysians will next face Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, currently ranked world No. 15.
Astrup and Rasmussen bring considerable experience and tactical variety, making the round-of-16 encounter one of the most intriguing men’s doubles matches of the next stage.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Fifth seeds Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani of Malaysia defeated Hu Ke Yuan/Lin Xiang Yi of China 22-20, 21-18
- Match duration: 37 minutes
- Next opponents: Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark
Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King Lose Three-Game Battle
Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Yap Roy King were unable to join their compatriots in the second round after losing a closely contested men’s doubles match to Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith of the United States.
The American pair prevailed 26-24, 15-21, 21-18 after one hour and two minutes.
Junaidi and Roy King narrowly lost an extended opening game but responded strongly to take the second 21-15. The deciding game remained competitive, although Chen and Smith managed the final rallies more effectively to complete the victory.
The Americans will next face India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in the round of 16.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Chen Zhi Yi/Presley Smith of the United States defeated Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King of Malaysia 26-24, 15-21, 21-18
- Match duration: 62 minutes
- Next opponents for Chen-Smith: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty of India
Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah Suffer Shock Japan Open Exit
Malaysia suffered a major setback in women’s doubles when fifth seeds Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah were eliminated by Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yin-Hui and Lin Jhih Yun.
Pearly and Thinaah began impressively, dominating the opening game 21-9. However, their level dropped as the match progressed, allowing the Taiwanese world No. 12 pair to recover and win 9-21, 21-17, 21-17 in 49 minutes.
It was Pearly and Thinaah’s first defeat to Hsu and Lin in four career meetings.
The Malaysian pair were returning to international competition after a break of almost a month, with Pearly having worked her way back from a back injury.
They showed their quality during the opening game, but Hsu and Lin gradually disrupted their rhythm with steadier defensive play and better control during the longer exchanges.
Hsu and Lin will continue their campaign against Indonesia’s Apriyani Rahayu and Febi Setianingrum in the next round.
- Category: Women’s doubles
- Result: Hsu Yin-Hui/Lin Jhih Yun of Chinese Taipei defeated fifth seeds Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah of Malaysia 9-21, 21-17, 21-17
- Match duration: 49 minutes
- Next opponents for Hsu-Lin: Apriyani Rahayu/Febi Setianingrum of Indonesia
Wong Ling Ching Falls to P.V. Sindhu
Malaysia’s women’s singles challenge also suffered an early setback when Wong Ling Ching was defeated by India’s former world champion Pusarla V. Sindhu.
Sindhu, ranked world No. 10, controlled the match and secured a 21-14, 21-11 victory in 35 minutes.
World No. 37 Ling Ching attempted to match the Indian’s pace but struggled to find openings against Sindhu’s reach, attacking power and court coverage.
Sindhu moves into the second round, where she will face Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova.
- Category: Women’s singles
- Result: Pusarla V. Sindhu of India defeated Wong Ling Ching of Malaysia 21-14, 21-11
- Match duration: 35 minutes
- Next opponent for Sindhu: Kaloyana Nalbantova of Bulgaria
Chen Tang Jie-Clarissa San Lose on Partnership Debut
Malaysia’s new mixed doubles combination of Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San saw their first tournament together end in the opening round.
The experimental partnership was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling Fang 21-15, 21-19.
Chen and Clarissa struggled to establish their rhythm in the opening game but produced a more competitive performance in the second. They remained within reach of forcing a decider before the Taiwanese pair closed out the match in straight games.
Although the result was disappointing, their first appearance together offered an early opportunity to assess their communication, court rotation and overall compatibility under tournament pressure.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang of Chinese Taipei defeated Chen Tang Jie/Clarissa San of Malaysia 21-15, 21-19
- Outcome: Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San were eliminated in the first round of their debut tournament as a partnership
Mixed Opening Day for Malaysian Badminton in Tokyo
Malaysia’s opening day at the Japan Open produced contrasting badminton news across the five categories.
Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai provided the biggest highlight by eliminating China’s seventh seeds in a dramatic three-game contest. Their victory was particularly meaningful as the pair approach the end of their partnership.
Leong Jun Hao also delivered an encouraging performance in men’s singles, finally overcoming Chi Yu Jen after losing their previous two encounters. His next match against Christo Popov will provide a clearer indication of whether he can make a deeper run in Tokyo.
Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin remain another strong Malaysian hope after advancing in straight games, but their next contest against Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen is unlikely to be straightforward.
At the same time, the exits of Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Wong Ling Ching and Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King showed how quickly a Super 750 badminton tournament can punish any loss of momentum.
Attention now turns to the round of 16, where Khai Xing-Aaron, Jun Hao and Sze Fei-Izzuddin will attempt to keep Malaysia’s Japan Open challenge alive.
