Saarbrücken, Germany — Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun produced another stunning performance to reach the 2025 Hylo Open semi-finals, while compatriots Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were eliminated in the quarter-finals on Friday.
The Malaysian duo, ranked No. 7 in the tournament, defeated Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri — runners-up at last week’s French Open — in straight games, 26–24, 21–19, to secure a spot in the final four.
Watch highlights of Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun vs. Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the 2025 Hylo Open quarter-finals:
Man/Tee Triumph in Tight Contest
The opening game was a tense battle, with both pairs trading points until 24–24. Man and Tee kept their composure to convert their second game point, sealing it 26–24.
In the second game, the Malaysians maintained a slim lead throughout and closed the match 21–19 after 48 minutes, marking their second victory in three career meetings against the Indonesian duo.
Man and Tee will now face another Indonesian pair, Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who upset top seeds Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik 11–21, 21–14, 21–17.
Top Seeds Aaron/Soh Fall Short
Despite taking the first game 21–11 with dominant play, the Malaysian top seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik could not maintain their momentum. The Indonesians responded strongly, going on a 10–0 run in the second game to level the match before clinching the decider 21–17.
It was their third meeting, with Gutama/Isfahani now leading 2–1, avenging their loss to Aaron/Soh in last week’s French Open.
Taiwan Secures Both Spots in Other Men’s Doubles Semi-Final
The second men’s doubles semi-final will be an all-Taiwanese showdown between Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan, ensuring a Chinese Taipei representative in the final.
Men’s Singles: Lanier Makes History
France’s Alex Lanier continued his impressive run, defeating India’s Lakshya Sen 21–17, 14–21, 21–15 to book his place in the semi-finals, where he will face Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.
Christie advanced comfortably by beating fellow Indian Kiran George 21–10, 21–16.
In the other half of the draw, Finland’s Kalle Koljonen edged India’s Ayush Shetty 19–21, 21–12, 22–20 and will take on Denmark’s Magnus Johannesen, who overcame compatriot Ditlev Jaeger Holm 24–22, 21–18.
Women’s Doubles: Malaysian Pairs Miss Out
Malaysia’s women’s doubles campaign ended in disappointment as both pairs were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Ong Xin Yee/Carmen Ting fell 17–21, 16–21 to Taiwan’s Hsu Yin-Hui/Lin Jhih Yun, while Go Pei Kee/Teoh Mei Xing were forced to retire after Go Pei Kee appeared to injure her ankle while trailing 13–21, 13–14 against Turkey’s Bengisu Ercetin/Nazlıcan Inci.
Ercetin/Inci will face Hsu/Lin in the semi-finals. Despite the withdrawal, it was still a commendable run for Go/Teoh, marking their third appearance in a BWF Super 500 quarter-final this season following strong performances at the Indonesia Masters and Hong Kong Open.
With Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun flying the Malaysian flag into the semi-finals, the duo will now aim to reach their second BWF World Tour final of 2025 and continue Malaysia’s strong showing in Europe this season.
