Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair, Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal Nazri, delivered a stunning performance by upsetting China’s seeded duo, Huang Di and Liu Yang, in the Arctic Open 2025 Super 500 held at Energia Areena, Vantaa, Finland.
Ranked 39th in the world, Hon Jian and Haikal showcased tremendous energy and confidence to edge out the world No.16 Chinese pair 23–21, 22–20 in a thrilling 50-minute battle.
The victory not only marked a major first-round upset, but also the Malaysian duo’s first-ever win over Huang and Liu, giving them a huge boost of confidence moving forward.
The young Malaysians are now set to face France’s Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi in the second round, after the French pair defeated Scotland’s sibling duo, Christopher and Matthew Grimley.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah began their campaign in convincing fashion, easily dispatching Denmark’s Natasha P. Anthonisen and Amalie Cecilie Kudsk 21–13, 21–14 in just 32 minutes.
Currently ranked second in the world, Pearly and Thinaah lived up to their billing as one of the tournament’s top contenders. The 2024 World Championships silver medalists will next face Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Meilysa Trias Puspita Sari in the following round.
Also advancing were Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair and 2022 World Champions, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who comfortably defeated Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard 21–18, 21–15 in 37 minutes.
The victory not only sends Aaron and Wooi Yik into the second round, but also extends their head-to-head record to 2–0 against the Danish pair. Up next, they will face fellow Malaysians Low Hang Yee and Ng Eng Cheong in an all-Malaysian showdown.
