Junaidi Arif/Roy King Yap Stopped by Fellow Malaysians in Singapore Open 2025 R16

The Malaysian men’s doubles pair, Junaidi Arif/Roy King Yap, were forced to end their journey at the Singapore Open 2025 after suffering a straight-game defeat in the round of 16 to their more experienced compatriots, Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin.

Held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the BWF Super 750 tournament witnessed a commanding performance from the second-seeded Goh/Izzuddin, who sealed their place in the quarterfinals with a dominant 21-13, 21-11 victory.

Brief Momentum Lost after Strong Opening

Arif/Yap, who are considered one of Malaysia’s emerging pairs under the mentorship of renowned coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, showed glimpses of quality early in the first game. They took advantage of a few unforced errors from Goh/Izzuddin, racing to a two-point lead.

However, the momentum quickly shifted as the experienced second seeds turned up the intensity. Goh/Izzuddin responded with a series of attacking combinations and strong net control, taking the lead 11-8 at the interval.

After the break, Arif/Yap struggled to regain control, while their opponents tightened their grip on the game, using quick rotation and aggressive plays to finish rallies efficiently.

Steep Learning Curve for the Rising Duo

Despite the loss, Arif/Yap have made noticeable progress in recent months. Their run to the round of 16 in a Super 750 event reflects their potential to compete at a higher level. With more international exposure and consistent coaching under Pierngadi, the duo is expected to mature and challenge the elite pairs in the near future.

Meanwhile, Goh/Izzuddin, who previously reached the finals of the 2023 Indonesia Masters, continue to show solid form in 2025, reinforcing their status as Malaysia’s top contenders in the men’s doubles category.