Arif-Roy King's brave run at World Championships ends in heartbreak
KUALA LUMPUR: Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King came agonisingly close to pulling off a sensational World Championships upset before their brave challenge was ended by India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in New Delhi on Thursday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian duo Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King experienced a heartbreaking end to their World Championships run on Thursday as they were defeated by India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in a thrilling last-16 match at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The world No. 19 pair put up an impressive fight, edging the world No. 5 team 23-21 in the opening game after trailing 16-12.
They continued to battle, leading 18-16 in the second set before the Indians turned the tide, winning the third game 21-19 and forcing a deciding match. Despite strong efforts, Arif-Roy King fell short, losing the final game 17-17 and denying them a maiden World Championships quarter-final appearance. This was the fifth defeat for the Malaysian pair against the Indian stars, though it was their closest contest yet, bringing them within striking distance of the top teams on their home turf.
Arif-Roy King's campaign also ended in the last 16 for the second consecutive year, after they lost to compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Yik in a grueling three-game showdown last year.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Sze Fei-Izzuddin through to World Championships quarter-finals freemalaysiatoday.com
- Sze Fei-Izzuddin conquer last-16 hurdle at World Championships nst.com.my
