Arif-Roy King beat Indonesian duo to enter World Championships last-16

 All four Malaysian men’s doubles pairs have now progressed to the third round of the prestigious championships.

Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King have a tough third-round tie against world No 5 and home pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

National men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King defeated a higher-ranked Indonesian pair early this morning to book a spot in the third round of the World Championships in New Delhi, India.

World No 19 duo Arif-Roy King beat 12th-ranked Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin with a score of 21-16, 21-19 in a match lasting 36 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

It was the Malaysian pair’s second victory over the young Indonesian shuttlers who have shown tremendous improvement in this year’s World Tour Championships.

Another stern test awaits Arif-Roy King as they will have to deal with home pair and world No 5 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in the next round. The Malaysians have lost all four encounters with the duo so far.

Their victory this morning meant that all four Malaysian men’s doubles pairs have advanced to the last-16 stage of the championships.

One quarter-final berth is assured for Malaysia as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will be clashing with compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in their last-16 match.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will play Taiwanese duo Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin in the next round. All third-round matches will be played today.

Also through to the last-16 stage are women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.

Malaysia’s challenge in the women’s singles ended when Wong Ling Ching lost to world No 2 Japanese player Akane Yamaguchi. The 36th-ranked Malaysian player lost 18-21, 10-21 in 36 minutes. - FMT