Arctic Open 2026: Scratch Pair Tai-King Win Title in Their First Tournament
Malaysia’s makeshift men’s doubles pair Aaron Tai and Yap Roy King won the Arctic Open in Finland today, a surprise title in the first World Tour event they have played together.
The pair beat Taiwan’s world No. 60 pairing of Lai Po Yu and Tsai Fu Cheng 21-19, 21-19 in the final in 41 minutes. It is the first title for both players as a pair, and they take home US$39,500 (RM141,460) in prize money.
Both games went down to the closing points, and both went to the Malaysians. They stayed calm throughout, never letting the Taiwanese pair take control, and closed out the match in straight games.
Aaron and Roy King had little reputation as a pair, but they began strongly. In the first round they beat the world No. 24 independent pair Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 21-12, 21-13 in 26 minutes in an all-Malaysian match. In the second round they upset the seventh seeds and world No. 21 pair, Taiwan’s Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, 21-19, 21-11.
They went on to reach the final, where they beat another Taiwanese pair. The week also gave Malaysian badminton a second strong result in Vantaa, as Lee Zii Jia reached the men’s singles semi-finals.
Both players came into the event with new partners after men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi’s reshuffle. Aaron’s regular partner is Kang Khai Xing, and Roy King’s is Wan Arif Junaidi.
Both had already shown form with other players. Aaron had partnered Aaron Chia and reached the Taiwan Open final, while Roy King had played four World Tour events with Tee Kai Wun and won the Korea Masters. Aaron also played with Soh Wooi Yik at the China Masters last month.
Herry had thought about splitting Aaron and Khai Xing since early in the year. He said the reason was a difference in their speed, even though the pair were reluctant at first. They won the world junior title together in 2024.
The opening was there. Most of Malaysia’s men’s doubles pairs withdrew from this tournament, which made Aaron and Roy King one of the pairs to watch. They then won the title without dropping a game in the matches covered above or in the final.
The result shows that Herry’s pairings can compete and win at World Tour level. A temporary pair has lifted a title in its first event, which gives the coaching staff more evidence to work with as they decide how to line up their men’s doubles pairs
Credit Photo : Screenshot
