Latest news with #MalaysiaMasters
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aaron-Wooi Yik stunned by compatriots at Japan Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Independent men's doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the Japan Open's opening round on Wednesday. World No. 30 Yew Sin-Ee Yi outclassed compatriots and world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik with a commanding 21-15, 21-15 victory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Heading into the match, Yew Sin-Ee Yi had only beaten the former world champions twice in eight previous encounters. Aaron-Wooi Yik entered the Super 750 tournament in red-hot form, having won the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore this year. They were also runners-up at last month's Malaysia Masters. Tipped by many to go deep in Tokyo, the second seeds were instead stunned by a clinical and tactically astute performance from Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who looked composed and unbothered by the lopsided head-to-head record. With the win, Yew Sin-Ee Yi will next face either Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura or the United States' Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith in the second round. Meanwhile, world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun survived a marathon opening game before beating compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King 30-28, 21-12 in 42 minutes. The Malaysia Masters champions will face China's Huang Di and Liu Yang in the next round.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Hard work and friendship fuel Roy King-Arif's bid for consistency
National men's doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi in action against Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita during the first round of Malaysia Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: What do badminton, window shopping, and wagyu beef have in common? For national men's doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, they're all part of a growing bond – one that's helping them build chemistry both on and off the court. While their partnership is still a work in progress, one thing is clear - their friendship is the glue holding it together. 'To take our minds off badminton, we enjoy going shopping but we don't buy anything! We just find a nice spot to chill,' said Roy King with a laugh. That easygoing camaraderie is slowly translating into better understanding during matches, as the world No. 23 duo seek more stability and consistency on the World Tour. So far, their highlight of the year has been a semi-final run at the Orleans Masters, but now they're eyeing a bigger breakthrough at next week's Japan Open in Tokyo. Their journey, however, starts with a tricky internal clash with a first-round match against fellow Malaysians Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. The winners will face either Thailand's Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh or China's Huang Di-Liu Yang in the second round. Despite the tough draw, Roy King is optimistic. Under the guidance of coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, he and Arif have been sharpening their game. 'Coach Herry pays a lot of attention to small details. His tactical knowledge is solid, but more importantly, he teaches us how to enjoy the game,' said Roy King. 'Both Arif and I still struggle with confidence at times, but we're learning to communicate better. Our aim is to get some upsets against top-10 pairs and hopefully finish on the podium.' And if they do go far in Tokyo? Roy King knows exactly how he'll reward himself. 'Wagyu beef. That's my favourite.'
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Pearly-Thinaah ready to smash goals after contract saga ends
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Rosman Razak has hailed Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's decision to remain with the BA of Malaysia (BAM), calling it a massive boost for both the world No. 3 and the nation's women's doubles scene. After seven months of uncertainty, Pearly-Thinaah finally ended speculation over their future by signing a new four-year contract with BAM on Friday, rejecting the lure of turning professional. Their commitment is expected to have a ripple effect among their compatriots, including world No. 42 Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee and 2024 World Junior runners-up Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu (No. 214), who idolise the top-ranked pair. "Pearly-Thinaah's continued presence in the squad will be a huge help, especially for their teammates and the junior pairs who see them as role models," said Rosman at the Academy Badminton Malaysia on Friday. "They're a great example, not just in terms of skills, but also their professionalism and commitment. That's not easy to replicate. "The younger players know they have a world-class pair to look up to, and that the women's doubles department has a future. "Carmen-Xin Yee and Sofea-Zi Yu are showing progress. While they've yet to win anything major, training and sparring with Pearly-Thinaah will help elevate their game." Rosman stressed that the lengthy contract negotiations had not impacted Pearly-Thinaah's form or focus in training and competition. "There hasn't been any major change. They've stayed committed in training and continued preparing for tournaments as usual," he said. "We had four weeks to prepare for the Japan Open, and we've made the necessary adjustments. Hopefully, they can perform well next week." The pair head to Tokyo for the Japan Open next week in fine form after a strong run during the contract uncertainty — winning the Thailand Open, finishing runners-up at the Indonesia Open, making the Malaysia Masters semi-finals, and reaching the Singapore Open quarter-finals. With the contract saga finally behind them, Pearly-Thinaah will use the Japan Open to build their confidence ahead of the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25-31.
News18
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Kidambi Srikanth Loses To Kenta Nishimoto In Canada Open Semifinal
Last Updated: Kidambi Srikanth won the opening game before his opponent bounced back to take the next two and enter final. India's Kidambi Srikanth was defeated by Japan's Kenta Nishimoto with scores of 21-19, 14-21, 18-21 in the semifinal of the Canada Open Super 300 badminton tournament on Saturday. Srikanth began the match strongly, clinching the first game 21-19, but Nishimoto responded fiercely in the next two games, ultimately winning the match, which lasted one hour and 18 minutes. In the decisive game, the scores were tied at 18-18 when Nishimoto capitalised on a weak return and then Srikanth's wide shots twice handed the match to the Japanese player. Earlier, Srikanth, a former world championships silver medallist who reached the finals of the Malaysia Masters in May, defeated world number six Chou Tien-Chen 21-18, 21-9 in a 43-minute quarterfinal clash on Friday. S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, the 2022 World Junior Championships silver medallist, fought valiantly before losing to Nishimoto with scores of 15-21, 21-5, 17-21 in a gruelling 79-minute quarterfinal. In women's singles, Shriyanshi Valishetty's impressive run ended after she lost to Denmark's Amalie Schulz. First Published: July 06, 2025, 12:03 IST
NDTV
06-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Kidambi Srikanth Loses In Canada Open Semifinal Against Japan's Kenta Nishimoto
India's Kidambi Srikanth lost to Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 21-19, 14-21, 18-21 in the semifinal of the Canada Open Super 300 badminton tournament in Calgary on Saturday. Srikanth had made a strong start to the contest winning the first game 21-19 but his Japanese opponent fought back hard in the next two to win the game which lasted one hour and 18 minutes. In the decider, the scores were levelled 18-18 when Nishimoto pounced on a weak return and then Srikanth sprayed wide twice to hand over the match to the Japanese. Earlier, the former world championships silver medallist, who had reached the finals of the Malaysia Masters in May this year, outclassed world number six Chou Tien-Chen 21-18 21-9 in a 43-minute quarterfinal clash on Friday. S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, the 2022 World Junior Championships silver medallist, produced a gallant fight before going down to Nishimoto 15-21 21-5 17-21 in a gruelling 79-minute quarterfinal. In women's singles, Shriyanshi Valishetty's impressive run came to an end after she lost to Denmark's Amalie Schulz.
