Malaysia Open: Smith/Gai Write New American Chapter
The crowd inside Axiata Arena expected a familiar script.
· PREM KUMAR
On one side stood Malaysia’s eighth-seeded home favourites, Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai. On the other, Presley Smith and Jennie Gai, an American partnership still finding its place on the world’s biggest stages.
Just 35 minutes later, the script had been rewritten.
Smith and Gai walked off with a stunning 21-9 21-17 victory in the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2026 second round, becoming the first doubles pair from the USA to reach a Super 1000 quarterfinal.