PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King made quick work of teammates Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing to reach the Malaysian Masters quarter-finals on Thursday (May 21).
The fifth seeds needed just 30 minutes to beat world No. 26 Aaron-Khai Xing 21-12, 22-20 at the Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil.
World No. 16 Arif-Roy King have now won both their meetings against their compatriots, following their first clash at last year’s Thailand Open.
The win also gave Arif-Roy King their first quarter-final appearance of the year, ending a wait that stretched back to the Kumamoto Masters last November.
“We’re glad we managed to get our breakthrough this year. It’s been some time since we made the quarter-finals. It’s our first for the year,” said Roy King.
“My partner and I are satisfied with our performance.”
Arif-Roy King will face the United States’ Presley Smith-Chen Zhi Yi in the quarter-finals.
The American pair had earlier upset veterans Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub 21-14, 21-18 in the second round.
It was not the birthday present Wee Kiong had hoped for, as the former Olympic silver medallist turned 37 on Thursday.
