Malaysia enjoyed another productive day at the 2026 Victor China Open, with four doubles pairs booking their places in the Round of 16, highlighted by a gritty comeback victory from world No. 5 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Competing in the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 1000 event, the Malaysian contingent produced four victories from five matches, keeping the country’s hopes alive across the men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles disciplines.
Malaysia’s leading men’s doubles duo had to dig deep after dropping the opening game against Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh of Chinese Taipei.
After losing the first game 15-21, Goh and Nur responded with the composure expected of one of the tournament’s top seeds, taking the next two games 21-15, 21-16 to secure a hard-earned 2-1 victory and advance to the last 16.
The comeback once again underlined the pair’s resilience and ability to raise their level when under pressure.
In mixed doubles, experienced partnership Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie were forced into a deciding game by Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Misaki Matsutomo.
After winning the opening game 21-15, the Malaysians lost the second 16-21 before regaining control in a tense decider to prevail 21-19, sealing another valuable Round of 16 berth.
Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah delivered one of the most convincing performances of the day.
The fifth seeds comfortably defeated Japan’s Ririna Hiramoto and Kokona Ishikawa in straight games 21-16, 21-12, displaying excellent attacking rhythm and defensive discipline throughout the contest.
The victory keeps Malaysia’s strongest women’s doubles medal hope firmly on course for a deep run in Changzhou.
Malaysia also celebrated success in mixed doubles through Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San, who overcame Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Nguyen Thuc Phuong in straight games.
The Malaysian pair secured a composed 21-17, 21-19 victory to move into the second round, continuing to build momentum after their recent partnership.
The only Malaysian casualty on Wednesday came in the women’s singles.
Wong Ling Ching made a bright start by taking the opening game 21-17 against South Korea’s Sim Yu Jin, but the Korean fought back strongly to win the next two games 21-16, 21-17, ending the Malaysian’s campaign.
With four pairs progressing, Malaysia will continue its challenge across three doubles disciplines as the tournament enters the knockout stages.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
