Malaysia Falls to China in Thomas Cup Quarters as Title Wait Continues
RECORD DATE NOT STATED 7th March 2026 Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Midlands, England Yonex All England Badminton Championships, Day Five CHEN Bo Yang and LIU Yi of China versus Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik of Malaysia in their mens doubles match, Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik celebrate winning their match PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK SimonxWest
RECORD DATE NOT STATED 7th March 2026 Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Midlands, England Yonex All England Badminton Championships, Day Five CHEN Bo Yang and LIU Yi of China versus Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik of Malaysia in their mens doubles match, Aaron CHIA and SOH Wooi Yik celebrate winning their match PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK SimonxWest
Malaysia's hope of ending a 34-year Thomas Cup drought suffered a setback. Defending champions China crushed them 3-0 in the quarter-finals on Friday at Forum Horsens in Denmark.
The loss extended Malaysia's long wait for the prestigious team title, last won in 1992. And China has reached the semifinals in its attempt to defend its title.
Malaysia needed to start quickly to have any chance against the tournament favorites, but world No. 1 Shi Yuqi soon had China in control.
After 67 minutes of fast-paced badminton, the Chinese star got the better of Leong Jun Hao 21-10, 16-21, and 21-9 in the opening singles match. Shi dominated the rallies with sharp attacking play and tight control at the net.
260107 -- KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 7, 2026 -- Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia hits a return during the men s singles round of 32 match against Wang Zhengxing of China at the Malaysia Open 2026 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 7, 2026. Photo by /Xinhua SPMALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-BADMINTON-MALAYSIA OPEN 2026-MEN S SINGLES ChongxVoonxChung PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
260107 -- KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 7, 2026 -- Leong Jun Hao of Malaysia hits a return during the men s singles round of 32 match against Wang Zhengxing of China at the Malaysia Open 2026 badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 7, 2026. Photo by /Xinhua SPMALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-BADMINTON-MALAYSIA OPEN 2026-MEN S SINGLES ChongxVoonxChung PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
Jun Hao struggled badly in the first game. But the Malaysians fought back strongly in the second game. He was composed and forced errors from the top-ranked Chinese star during longer exchanges.
Malaysia clawed back into the tie for a moment. But the momentum dissipated quickly in the deciding game. Shi got away early while Jun Hao rushed key points and struggled to catch up.
“I felt that after losing the first game, I just had to stay positive and keep pushing myself point by point,” said Jun Hao after the match.
“After getting into the third game, it was not a good start. I may have rushed a few points, and he came up with some sharp attacks.”
The 26-year-old added he had given everything, even in defeat.
Aaron-Wooi Yik Fall Short in First Doubles Rubber
Then Malaysia's hopes rested with world No. 2 pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the opening doubles. But the experienced duo could not deliver against the world No. 5 combination of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.
The Malaysians battled hard in a tense opening game and were level for long periods. But they could not close out key points at crucial junctures and lost the game 22-24 eventually.
Liang and Wang upped the ante in the second game and pushed the Malaysians onto the back foot. Aaron and Wooi Yik failed to match the pace of the rallies and eventually lost 14-21.
Malaysia needed a comeback, and Justin Hoh took on Li Shifeng in the second singles. The 22-year-old was promising early on, but could not match the consistency and attacking quality of the Chinese player and lost 14-21, 13-21.
Now China will meet Denmark or Thailand in the semifinals.
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Written by
Chitrak Mukherjee
Edited by
Rudra Dubey