Arif-Roy King through to Malaysia Masters semis

 The Malaysian pair defeat Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith of the US to enter a World Tour Super 500 championship semi-final for the first time.

Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King last won a World Tour title at the Super 300 Macau Open last year. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

National men’s doubles shuttlers Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King achieved a career high at the Malaysia Masters today, qualifying for the semi-finals of a World Tour Super 500 for the first time.

The world No 16 pair beat Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith of the US 21-15, 21-19 in 33 minutes at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil. It was their third win over the American pair in as many meetings.

The Malaysians won the Macau Open title and were semi-finalists at the French Orleans Masters last year, but both were Super 300 events.

In the semi-finals tomorrow, they will meet the winners of the match between Danish pair Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard and Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan.

Men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will play their quarter-final matches later today.

Also in action will be women’s singles player K Letshanaa and world mixed doubles champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. - FMT