Arif-Roy King eye Malaysia Masters final after reaching semis

The Malaysia Masters 2026 is proving to be a significant tournament for national badminton duo Arif Junaidi and Yap Roy King. Their recent victory over the 27th-ranked US pair, Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith, has propelled them into the semi-finals, marking their best performance of the year. This achievement is particularly meaningful as they have struggled with early exits in previous tournaments, often falling at the round of 16.

“

Of course, we are more comfortable facing the Danes because we hold the head-to-head record against Lundgaard-Vestergaard. If it were Hoki-Kobayashi, we have never won before.

Looking ahead, Arif and Roy King are set to face Denmark's Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard. The Malaysian pair expressed a preference for this matchup, citing their dominant 4-0 record against the Danes. This psychological advantage, coupled with the home crowd support, fuels their optimism for the upcoming semi-final. They acknowledge that upsets can happen, especially against strong opponents like the Danish pair who defeated a highly-ranked Japanese team.

Arif Junaidi shared his thoughts on their progress, highlighting the importance of reaching the semi-finals for their confidence. "Alhamdulillah, we managed to reach the semi-finals," he stated, contrasting it with their previous results this year. "If we look at the results this year, it was only the second round, no quarter-finals at all. It's already May, half the year has passed. So this will help us rebuild our confidence for the next match or upcoming tournaments."

“

But anything can happen, especially since we are playing at home. Hopefully, there will be a surprise tomorrow.

As hosts, the Malaysian pair feels the pressure and excitement of performing on home soil. The Utusan Malaysia report emphasizes the national pride associated with their success and the hope for further advancement in the tournament. This run is not just about individual achievement but also about showcasing Malaysian talent on the international stage.

“

Alhamdulillah, we managed to reach the semi-finals. If we look at the results this year, it was only the second round, no quarter-finals at all. It's already May, half the year has passed. So this will help us rebuild our confidence for the next match or upcoming tournaments.