Malaysia’s rising men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Junaidi and Yap Roy King continued their impressive run at the Malaysia Masters 2026 after booking a place in the semi-finals with a composed straight-games victory on Friday.
Competing in front of passionate home supporters at the Axiata Arena, the Malaysian world No. 16 duo defeated American pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith 21-15, 21-19 in the quarter-finals to keep their title hopes alive.
Arif and Roy King required only 32 minutes to complete the victory, showcasing sharp attacking combinations, solid defensive organisation, and excellent control during key moments of the match.
The triumph also extended the Malaysians’ perfect head-to-head record against the American pair to 3-0, underlining their growing confidence and consistency on the international stage.
After a comfortable opening game victory, the Malaysians were tested harder in the second set as Chen and Presley attempted a late comeback. However, Arif and Roy King maintained their composure under pressure before sealing the match in straight games to send the home crowd into celebration.
The achievement marks only the second time in their careers that the duo have reached the semi-finals of a BWF Super 500 tournament — with their previous appearance also coming at the Malaysia Masters back in 2024.
Credit Photo : BAM
