China Masters 2026: Chia-Teo Stun Japanese Pair to Second Round
Malaysia’s Chia Wei Jie/Teo Ee Yi produced one of the most impressive comebacks of the day at the LI-NING China Masters 2026, fighting from a game down to defeat Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai/Hiroki Nishi in a thrilling Round of 32 encounter.
The Malaysians were forced to dig deep after surrendering the opening game 16-21, leaving them with little room for error against their Japanese opponents.
But Chia and Teo responded strongly. They raised the intensity in the second game and managed to edge Kumagai/Nishi 21-19, sending the match into a decisive third game.
The decider became a battle of nerves. Neither pair was willing to give up ground, with the Malaysians eventually holding their composure at the crucial moments to secure a dramatic 22-20 victory.
The victory is particularly significant for Chia Wei Jie/Teo Ee Yi as they demonstrated the ability to stay composed after losing the opening game and then close out a tightly contested decider.
The third game went beyond the regulation 21 points, highlighting just how close the contest was. At 20-20, the Malaysian pair produced the decisive points to seal their place in the next round.
Their victory also adds another Malaysian men's doubles combination to the knockout-stage battle in Shenzhen.
The mixed doubles pairing of Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Pei Jing delivered an impressive comeback against Hong Kong’s Chan Yin Chak/Ng Tsz Yau.
After winning the opening game 21-12, the Malaysians were pushed into a decider after their opponents took the second 21-16.
Hoo and Lai, however, regained control when it mattered most, closing out the deciding game 21-11 to secure a 2-1 victory.
The result keeps the Malaysian pair firmly in contention as they look to make a deep run in China.
Malaysia’s K. Letshanaa enjoyed one of the most dominant victories of the day.
The Malaysian women's singles player defeated England’s Karen Feng in straight games, 21-6, 21-3, needing just two games to book her place in the next round.
Letshanaa’s commanding scoreline will provide a major confidence boost as the competition becomes increasingly difficult.
One of the day's biggest all-Malaysian battles came in the men's doubles, where Azriyn Ayub/Tan Wee Kiong produced a comeback victory over the established combination of Aaron Chia/Man Wei Chong.
Aaron and Man took the opening game 21-14, but Azriyn and Tan refused to surrender.
They responded by winning the second game 21-15 before completing the turnaround with a tight 21-19 victory in the deciding game.
The all-Malaysian encounter guaranteed one Malaysian men's doubles pair would progress, with Azriyn and Tan emerging as the survivors.
It was disappointment for Chen Tang Jie/Cheng Su Yin, who were unable to progress after losing to China’s fifth seeds Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui.
The Chinese pair secured a straight-games victory 21-14, 21-19.
Malaysia’s Arif Junaidi/Kang Khai Xing also exited the men's doubles competition after falling to India’s fourth seeds Satwik Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty. The Indian combination won 21-11, 21-16.
Credit Photo : SBA
