India’s MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan upset France’s Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov in the opening round of the Malaysia Masters 2026 badminton tournament at the Stadium Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
MR Arjun-Hariharan Amsakarunan, 31st in the men’s doubles badminton rankings, stunned the world No. 20 Popov brothers 21-19, 21-15 in 36 minutes to advance to the second round.
The Popovs had their noses ahead for most parts of the opening game. However, the Indian duo, trailing 19-16, picked up five consecutive points to take the lead in the match.
MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan then completed the victory with a dominant showing in the second game.
It was a statement win for the Indian badminton duo against the Popovs, who have been in fine form this season.
Christo is the world No. 4 in singles rankings, while Toma Junior is ranked 16th. The duo were central to France’s silver medal win at the Thomas Cup earlier this year.
Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam bowed out from the women’s doubles competition after losing 15-21, 21-17, 17-21 against Canada’s Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai.
Aakarshi Kashyap’s return to the BWF World Tour for the first time since March was short-lived as the Indian shuttler lost her women’s singles qualifying match 15-21, 22-20, 21-7 against Park Ga-eun of the Republic of Korea.
The Indian badminton player took the opening game comfortably and even led the second game 17-11 before her South Korean opponent turned the tables on her.
Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma entered the mixed doubles main draw after defeating Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah and Clarissa San 21-15, 21-17 in 37th minutes.
Meanwhile, Ashmita Chaliha, who entered the tournament late after 11th-hour withdrawals from compatriots Unnati Hooda and Rakshitha Ramraj, managed to advance to the women’s singles main draw.
She defeated Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu-po 21-23, 21-16, 21-16 to set up a round of 32 clash against Indonesia’s Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan.
Paris 2024 semi-finalist Lakshya Sen will start his campaign in the men’s singles main draw on Wednesday.
PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag are not competing in the BWF Super 500 tournament this year.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/malaysia-masters-2026-badminton-india-day-1-report
