Aussies Rock Panas Malaysia Cup and Johns-Alshon Find Their Rhythm
| September 26, 2025
Quarterfinal Friday at the Panas Malaysia Cup 2025 delivered red-hot drama to a sold-out crowd, with the day’s biggest shock coming from the Women’s Doubles court.
Danni-Elle Townsend and Nicola Schoeman pulled off what might be the upset of the tournament, dismantling top seeds Anna Bright and Roos van Reek 2-0 (11-6, 11-3). The Australian duo’s dominant performance denied Bright – currently #2 in PPA Tour rankings with 19 Women’s Doubles golds – her first Asian title.
From the opening rally, Townsend and Schoeman controlled every exchange. Townsend’s fast hands at the net combined perfectly with Schoeman’s power from all corners of the court, creating a formula the Americans couldn’t solve. When the final point landed, both Aussies roared in celebration as the sold-out crowd erupted to their feet.
Drama nearly struck again in Men’s Doubles where Ben Johns and Christian Alshon found themselves in early trouble against Vanshik Kapadia and Robert Nunnery. Kapadia, who claimed the Men’s Doubles crown at this venue in July, looked right at home as he and Nunnery snatched the opening game 11-9.
The Men’s Doubles quarterfinals was a catalyst for Christian Alshon and Ben Johns.
The pressure seemed to unlock something in the Johns-Alshon partnership. After their shaky start, they roared back with devastating efficiency, dropping just five points total across the final two games to complete the comeback 2-1 (9-11, 11-1, 11-4).
The triple crown hunt remains alive for two Americans. Both Kaitlyn Christian and Christian Alshon have punched their tickets to semifinals across all three events, keeping their dreams of a Malaysian sweep within reach.
Saturday’s semifinal action kicks off at 8am (GMT+8), and with the draw wide open and the titles on the horizon, history is waiting in Kuala Lumpur.
