Malaysia’s campaign at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026 continued to deliver contrasting outcomes as the Round of 32 concluded on Wednesday, with top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah leading the charge into the next round, while several compatriots exited after hard-fought encounters.
World No. 2 Pearly–Thinaah lived up to expectations, producing a composed and authoritative display to defeat India’s Kavipriya Selvam–Simran Singhi 21-18, 21-6. The Malaysians tightened their grip in the second game, dictating rallies with superior net control and court coverage to seal a straight-games victory.
Men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin also booked their spot in the last 16 after showing resilience to overcome Choi Sol Gyu–Goh V Shem 2-1. After dropping the opening game 19-21, the Malaysians regrouped strongly to take the next two 21-16, 21-10, underlining their growing confidence on the World Tour.
Earlier, national mixed doubles hopes suffered a setback when fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei were ousted by China’s Cheng Xing–Zhang Chi, losing 16-21, 19-21 despite flashes of resistance. In men’s singles, Justin Hoh bowed out after a straight-games defeat to China’s Lu Guang Zu (17-21, 15-21), while Leong Jun Hao was forced to retire against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka after falling behind in the opening stages.
There was relief in the men’s doubles event for second seeds Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, who progressed after their opponents Kang Khai Xing–Aaron Tai retired, with the Malaysians leading 21-12, 11-6 at the time.
However, it was disappointment for Chia Wei Jie–Lwi Sheng Hao, who went down 18-21, 15-21 to Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita, while Arif Junaidi–Yap Roy King narrowly missed out in a dramatic three-game battle against Takumi Nomura–Yuichi Shimogami, losing 28-26, 18-21, 20-22.
In women’s doubles, Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting were unable to progress after a straight-games loss to eighth seeds Hsieh Pei Shan–Hung En Tzu (17-21, 15-21).
With Pearly–Thinaah, Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin and Aaron–Wooi Yik safely through, Malaysian hopes remain alive as the India Open 2026 heads into the Round of 16, where sterner tests await on the Super 750 stage.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
