The standout result of the day came in men’s doubles, where Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun produced a composed and disciplined performance to defeat Denmark’s world No.10 Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 21-17, 21-18 in just 42 minutes. 

The World No.35 pair avenged their Singapore Open quarter-final loss last year and continued their fine run at the venue, where they have now recorded six consecutive wins dating back to their Malaysia Masters title in 2024.

“We learned from our previous loss to them,” said Wei Chong. “They played well again today, but we were more patient and executed our plan better.”

Man–Tee now meet Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita in the second round as they look to build momentum in the new season.

Malaysia also enjoyed a solid showing from Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who halted a two-match losing streak against Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard–Mads Vestergaard with a convincing 21-15, 21-13 win. The world No.7 national pair erased memories of last year’s first-round exit and will face England’s Ben Lane–Sean Vendy next.

Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin then delivered a confidence-boosting performance, marking their first Super 1000 win on home soil by upsetting Denmark’s world No.12 Mathias Christiansen–Alexandra Boje 21-18, 20-22, 21-17. 

“This win means a lot to us,” said Su Yin. “It gives us belief moving forward.”

Reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei underlined their status as Malaysia’s leading mixed doubles pair, sweeping past Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah–Felisha Pasaribu 21-12, 21-17 to set up an all-Malaysian second-round clash with Hoo–Cheng.

In men’s singles, Lee Zii Jia, returning from a long injury layoff, bowed out in the first round after a 12-21, 17-21 loss to India’s Ayush Shetty. The former All England champion, competing in his first tournament since September, admitted he is still working his way back to full match fitness. “I’m not at my best yet, but this is part of the process,” said Lee.

Elsewhere, top seed Shi Yu Qi of China advanced, while World Tour Finals champion Christo Popov was sent packing by Hong Kong China’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in one of the day’s major upsets.

In women’s singles, defending champion An Se Young was tested in a three-game win over Canada’s Michelle Li, while China’s Chen Yu Fei also progressed.