Chia and Tai Advance to Quarterfinals at Korea Masters

In a remarkable display of skill, Malaysian badminton pair Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Korea Masters. The duo showcased their prowess by defeating the South Korean-Malaysian team of Choi Sol Gyu and Goh V Shem with scores of 21-14, 21-13 in the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament.

Following their runner-up finish at the Taipei Open, Chia and Tai maintained their momentum, effectively controlling the match from start to finish. Their strategic play, characterized by quick front-court interceptions and disciplined defense, prevented their opponents from establishing a rhythm throughout the contest.

This tournament marks only the third event for the newly formed partnership, which is part of a broader restructuring effort by Malaysia's men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. Despite their short time together, Chia and Tai have shown significant improvement in their on-court understanding, with each match enhancing their coordination in both attacking and defensive roles.

In the upcoming quarterfinals, they will face either fellow Malaysians Tee Kai Wun and Yap Roy King or South Korea’s Jin Yong and Lee Jong Min. This matchup ensures that Malaysia will have at least one representative in the men’s doubles semifinals, should Tee and Yap advance.

In addition to the success of Chia and Tai, Malaysia's mixed doubles teams also performed well, with Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San reaching their first quarterfinal as a pair, and young duo Loo Bing Kun and Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan securing their place as well. The Malaysian badminton scene is witnessing a promising resurgence as these partnerships develop under the guidance of the national coaching team.