Malaysia endured a mixed day at the YONEX-Sunrise India Open 2026 after several top pairs booked their places in the quarter-finals, while others saw their campaigns end in the Round of 16 at the BWF World Tour Super 1000 event on Thursday (Jan 15).
The standout performance came from world No.2 mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai, who showed resilience to overturn an early deficit and defeat Thailand’s R. Oupthong–J. Sudjaipraparat 17-21, 21-15, 21-6. The Malaysian duo grew stronger as the match progressed, asserting their dominance with aggressive net play and sharper court coverage in the decider.
In women’s doubles, top seeds Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah continued their impressive run, dispatching France’s Margot Lambert–Camille Pognante in straight games 21-7, 23-21. Despite a brief scare in the second game, Pearly-Thinaah maintained composure to close out the contest and reaffirm their title credentials.
Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik also lived up to expectations, cruising past Japan’s Takumi Nomura–Yuichi Shimogami 21-9, 23-21. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists were clinical throughout, particularly in the opening game, before holding firm under pressure late in the second.
Another positive result for Malaysia came through Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun, who battled back after dropping the first game to overcome France’s Christo Popov–Toma Junior Popov 13-21, 21-12, 21-14, showcasing mental toughness and improved attacking efficiency.
However, the tournament ended for several Malaysian pairs. Mixed doubles duo Jimmy Wong–Lai Pei Jing fought hard but fell 18-21, 21-17, 10-21 to top seeds Feng Yan Zhe–Huang Dong Ping of China. In men’s doubles, Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were edged out by Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-Huei–Yang Po-Hsuan 14-21, 21-17, 14-21 in a closely contested encounter.
With multiple pairs still in contention, Malaysia will look to maintain momentum as the India Open enters the decisive quarter-final stage, where tougher tests await against the world’s elite.
