KUALA LUMPUR — Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King crumbled under pressure in their Orleans Masters 2025 semi-final, forcing their shots and making too many errors in a 14-21, 13-21 defeat to China’s top-seeded Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, said Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
“From the first round to the quarter-finals, I was satisfied with their performance, but the Chinese pair (Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang) were precise with every shot,” Rexy told Bernama when contacted.
“Wan Arif and Roy King, on the other hand, put too much pressure on themselves, forcing their shots and making too many errors,” he told Bernama, when contacted.
The defeat ended their hopes of securing a maiden World Tour title after finishing as runners-up at the Spain Masters 2024 in Madrid.
It also marked the first time in three years that Malaysia left the Super 300 Orleans Masters without a champion. In 2023, top national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei lifted the title, while Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal Nazri claimed the men’s doubles crown last year.
Despite the setback, Rexy remains optimistic that Wan Arif and Roy King will bounce back with a strong showing at the All England Open, which begins on Tuesday and runs until March 16.
The world number 18 pair will open their campaign at the Utilita Arena Birmingham against China’s Huang Di and Liu Yang. The Malaysians hold the upper hand, having won their only previous encounter against the Chinese duo at the Ruichang China Masters 2023, 21-16, 16-21, 21-14.
Should both pairs progress, Wan Arif and Roy King could face Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang again in the second round.
“There’s nothing to lose at the All England. I hope we meet them again,” Rexy said.
Third-seeded Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang will open their campaign against Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. — March 9, 2025