China Masters 2026: 2 MD, and 2 XD Reach SF
Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing have created a major milestone for Malaysian badminton after storming into the semi-finals of the China Masters 2026, marking the first time the professional mixed doubles pair have reached the last four at a BWF World Tour Super 750 event.
The world No. 85 combination produced a commanding performance at the Shenzhen Arena, defeating Taiwan's Liu Kuang Heng-Hsu Yin Hui in straight games, 24-22, 21-5, in just 35 minutes.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing were forced to work hard in a tense opening game, narrowly surviving a close battle to edge out their Taiwanese opponents 24-22.
Once they found their rhythm, however, the Malaysians completely took control.
Pang Ron and Pei Jing raced through the second game 21-5, sealing a dominant victory and securing their place among the final four in Shenzhen.
The achievement represents a significant breakthrough for the pair, who have now reached the semi-finals of a Super 750 tournament for the first time in their partnership.
Malaysia's mixed doubles success was further strengthened by Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie, who also secured a semi-final berth after producing an impressive comeback against China's Gao Jia Xuan-Wu Meng Ying.
The eighth-seeded Malaysian pair initially found themselves under pressure after losing the opening game 15-21.
However, Goh and Lai responded brilliantly, taking control of the match in the second game and winning 21-11 to force a deciding game.
The Malaysians maintained their momentum in the decider, completing the comeback with another 21-11 victory to seal a 15-21, 21-11, 21-11 triumph.
It means Malaysia now has two mixed doubles pairs through to the semi-finals, adding another major storyline to an increasingly impressive campaign in Shenzhen.
Their next challenge will come against the winner of the all-important quarter-final between China's Zhu Yi Jun-Li Qian and Taiwan's Wu Guan Xun-Lee Chia Hsin.
With their confidence soaring, Pang Ron-Pei Jing now stand just one victory away from reaching the China Masters final and potentially delivering one of the biggest breakthroughs of their careers.
Malaysia's strong showing in Shenzhen was further strengthened by two men's doubles pairs also reaching the semi-finals.
Tee Kai Wun-Yap Roy King survived a three-game battle against Japan's Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami, recovering from a second-game setback to win 21-13, 19-21, 21-12.
They will face Chinese home favourites He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu in the semi-finals after the hosts eliminated another Malaysian combination, Soh Wooi Yik-Aaron Tai.
Meanwhile, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong continued their impressive run by producing another three-game victory, this time defeating Indonesia's sixth seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 21-17, 16-21, 21-19.
Azriyn-Wee Kiong will face India's fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in the last four.
However, it is Pang Ron and Pei Jing who have stolen the spotlight in Shenzhen.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
