Malaysian shuttlers faced a challenging opening day in the Round of 32 at the Victor Denmark Open 2025 (HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750), with only one pair — Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah — advancing to the next round.
The women’s doubles duo, seeded second in the tournament, delivered a confident performance to defeat Indonesia’s Rachel A. Rose and Febi Setianingrum in straight games, 21–13, 21–17. The pair showcased strong chemistry and tactical precision, continuing their fine form following a successful run at the Hong Kong Open and China Open earlier this season.
However, it was a difficult outing for Malaysia’s men’s doubles contingent. Second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik were stunned by Indonesia’s M. Rian Ardianto and Rahmat Hidayat, falling 17–21, 13–21. Similarly, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin battled hard but eventually lost to England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy in a close three-game encounter, 13–21, 21–14, 21–14.
Another disappointment came as Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi were defeated 19–21, 14–21 by France’s Christo and Toma Junior Popov, while the younger Malaysian pair Arif Junaidi and Yap Roy King exited after a 15–21, 19–21 loss to Japan’s world-class duo Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
In the women’s doubles, Go Pei Kee and Teoh Mei Xing fell 5–21, 16–21 to South Korea’s Jeong Na Eun and Lee Yeon Woo, ending their campaign early.
The mixed doubles pair Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien also struggled against India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, losing 7–21, 14–21.
In the men’s singles division, Leong Jun Hao put up a commendable fight but ultimately bowed out to fourth seed Li Shi Feng of China, 13–21, 16–21.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting delivered an impressive result in the women’s doubles, defeating Ukraine’s Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr 21–11, 21–16, marking one of the few bright spots for the national contingent.
Despite the early exits, the Malaysian team remains optimistic, with Pearly–Thinaah leading the charge into the next round. The national squad will aim to regroup and build momentum as the tournament progresses.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
