The 2025 Japan Open turned into a showcase of Malaysian dominance in the men’s doubles category, with a stunning display of resilience, tactical brilliance, and giant-killing performances from the nation’s top pairs. Friday’s quarterfinals at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium became a statement-making moment as veteran duo Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, along with world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, surged into the semifinals in spectacular fashion.
Ong-Teo Stun China’s Top Seeds
In one of the most sensational upsets of the tournament, world No. 30 Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi shocked the badminton world by defeating the formidable Chinese top seeds Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, the reigning Olympic silver medallists.
Despite entering the match as underdogs—having lost all three of their previous meetings this year to the Chinese duo—the Malaysian pair delivered a clinical performance to win 25-23, 21-19. The win was especially meaningful for Ong Yew Sin, who recently tied the knot with former Japanese women’s singles star Aya Ohori.
“This victory means a lot to us,” said a visibly elated Yew Sin during an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). “After a difficult run, finally overcoming them has boosted our confidence tremendously.”
Teo Ee Yi echoed the sentiment, attributing their success to patience and disciplined play. “We knew the margins would be tight, so we focused on minimizing unforced errors and playing smart.”
The result marks Ong-Teo’s first semifinal appearance in over nine months, with their last final-four finish dating back to the 2023 China Open. The road to this point hasn’t been easy, as the pair endured seven consecutive first-round exits earlier this year.
“We didn’t expect this at all,” Teo added with a laugh. “To reach the semifinals after such a rough stretch feels surreal. But we’re not thinking too far ahead—we want to enjoy every moment and take it one match at a time.”
Goh-Izzuddin Survive Thriller Against Fajar-Shohibul
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Malaysian duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani kept their hopes of defending their Japan Open crown alive, but not without drama. Facing Indonesia’s formidable but newly-formed pairing of Fajar Alfian and Shohibul Fikri, the Malaysians were pushed to the limit.
After a confident start in the first game, Goh-Izzuddin stumbled in the second before clinching a nerve-wracking third game to secure a 21-13, 17-21, 22-20 victory in just under an hour.
At 19-20 down in the deciding game, defeat loomed large, but the duo displayed immense mental strength and tactical awareness to snatch the final three points.
“We stayed composed and trusted each other. That was key in those final rallies,” said Izzuddin.
Semifinal Showdowns Await
The semifinals now promise a fierce battle. Ong-Teo will next face South Korea’s world No. 3 duo Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho, who defeated Malaysian pair Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun in a tough three-setter: 21-13, 18-21, 21-13.
On the other side, Goh-Izzuddin are set to meet Taiwan’s Liu Kuang-heng and Yang Po-han, who knocked out veterans Tan Wee Kiong and Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub with a 18-21, 25-23, 21-17 comeback.
If both Malaysian pairs advance, fans could witness a historic all-Malaysian final, echoing their clean sweep at this year’s Malaysian Masters, where Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik for the title.
Malaysian Women’s Doubles Also Impress
Malaysia’s joy didn’t stop with the men’s events. In women’s doubles, world No. 3 pairing Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah delivered a composed performance to dispatch South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee Yeon-woo in straight sets: 21-15, 21-19.
Next up, they face a daunting semifinal clash against Japan’s home favorites and world No. 2s, Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida.
Quarterfinal Results Recap (Selected)
Men’s Singles
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Koki Watanabe (JPN) def. Weng Hongyang (CHN) 15-21, 21-15, 21-11
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Shi Yuqi (CHN) def. Wang Tzu-wei (TPE) 21-19, 21-10
Men’s Doubles
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Ong Yew Sin–Teo Ee Yi (MAS) def. Liang Weikeng–Wang Chang (CHN) 25-23, 21-19
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Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin (MAS) def. Fajar Alfian–Shohibul Fikri (INA) 21-13, 17-21, 22-20
Women’s Doubles
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Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah (MAS) def. Jeong Na-eun–Lee Yeon-woo (KOR) 21-15, 21-19
With two Malaysian men’s doubles teams in the semifinals and a strong women’s doubles presence, the 2025 Japan Open could prove to be a landmark tournament for Malaysian badminton. As the tournament edges toward its climax, fans will be watching closely to see if Malaysia can achieve the dream double — and perhaps even a 1-2 finish in men’s doubles.
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