Four Malaysian doubles pairs secured semi-final berths at the French Open on October 23, 2026, marking a record performance at the BWF World Tour Super 750 tournament in Paris as veterans and rising contenders advanced across men’s, women’s, and mixed categories.
Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah Target History in Paris
World No. 4 women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah defeated Bulgaria’s Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva 21-12, 21-15 in a 39-minute quarter-final match at the French Open badminton championships. The victory arrived just a week after the Malaysian pair claimed the championship crown at the Denmark Open.
Pearly and Thinaah are now the only Malaysian women’s doubles pair to have won the tournament in its 117-year history, having previously secured the crown in 2022. They will face Japan’s world No. 5 pair Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in the semi-finals, having previously beaten the Japanese pair eight times across 10 prior encounters. Earlier in the tournament, Pearly and Thinaah fended off a challenge from younger compatriots Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting with a 21-14, 22-20 victory.
Men’s Doubles Quarter-Final Upsets and Walkovers
In the men’s division, professional pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani earned a semi-final spot by upsetting South Korea’s world No. 1 pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae 21-15, 21-18 in just 36 minutes at the Arena Grand Paris. The win marks the Malaysian duo’s third victory in seven clashes against the Korean top seeds. To reach the quarter-finals, Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin had bounced back from a second-set loss to defeat Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard 21-6, 14-21, 21-18. They will next face Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, compatriots Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun advanced after a brief quarter-final meeting against higher-ranked teammates Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. World No. 4 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik retired while trailing 0-5 just two minutes into the opening game, with no official reason provided for the withdrawal. Wei Chong and Kai Wun had previously earned their place in the last eight by defeating Japan’s eighth seeds Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 25-23, 21-14. They are set to meet Indonesia’s Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin in the next round.
Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing Advance in Mixed Doubles
Mixed doubles professional pair Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing reached the semi-finals at Tremblay-en-France by defeating Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen 21-17, 20-22, 21-18 in a 57-minute battle. The world No. 31 pair achieved their second consecutive semi-final appearance on the World Tour following their run at the Denmark Open.
Malaysia Seeks First Men's Doubles Title Since 2004
Malaysia enters the semi-final round with four doubles pairs remaining across the tournament, seeking to end a 22-year wait for a men’s doubles title since Gan Teik Chai and Koo Kien Keat last won the crown in 2004. Hoo Pang Ron and Lai Pei Jing face China’s world No. 6 pair Guo Xin Wai and Chen Fang Hui, attempting to secure a mixed doubles title that no Malaysian pair has won since the event began in 1909.
The nation's strong showing at the Grand Arena Paris marks a major achievement for Malaysian badminton as players target multiple crowns on the BWF World Tour Super 750 stage.