Shuttler Yap Roy King ended a four-match losing streak against Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, teaming up with Aaron Tai to reach the Japan Masters quarter-finals in Kumamoto on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Roy King previously suffered four defeats to the former world No. 1 pair while playing alongside Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. Competing with the younger Aaron at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium, the newly formed pair needed just 28 minutes to secure a 21-14, 21-15 victory over their senior compatriots in the second round, The Star reported.
Roy King and Aaron now carry Malaysia’s remaining hopes in the men’s doubles draw. They advance to face world No. 15 Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan of Taiwan for a place in the semi-finals.
National men’s doubles coach Chang Kim Wai credited the pair’s tactical discipline for dismantling the senior duo. The coaching staff said that early disruption forced a late tactical shift from Sze Fei and Izzuddin.
“Aaron-Roy King managed to disrupt Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s game in the first game,” Kim Wai said.
“When Sze Fei-Izzuddin changed their approach in the second, Aaron-Roy King were able to adapt to their game,” Kim Wai added.
The quarter-final match marks the first meeting between the two pairs in their current partnerships. Both Aaron and Roy King hold previous victories against the Taiwanese duo from matches played with former partners.
Aaron defeated Jhe-huei and Po-hsuan twice earlier this year, first alongside Kang Khai Xing at the Japan Open in July, and later with senior player Aaron Chia at the Taiwan Open quarter-finals.
Roy King also owns a strong head-to-head record against the Taiwanese pair, claiming three victories alongside Arif, with their last victory coming at the Orleans Masters in 2025.
“It will be a challenge for them as they are the only Malaysian pair left in the tournament,” Kim Wai said.
While Aaron and Roy King advanced, other Malaysian challenges concluded. Eighth seeds Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun exited the men’s doubles after a 15-21, 18-21 defeat to Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard.
