KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are on course for double joy at the Denmark Open after Lee Zii Jia and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made it to their respective men's singles and doubles semi-finals.
World No. 11 Zii Jia defeated Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 21-18, 21-18 to set up a last-four clash against Hong Kong's Lee Cheuk Yiu, promising another intriguing battle which will see both players facing also their former coaches.
Cheuk Yiu, who now trains under former BA of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann, overcame Dane Rasmus Gemke 21-17, 21-12 in the other last-eight encounter.
Zii Jia, the last week's Arctic Open champion, will be counting on his coach Wong Tat Meng to provide him with insights as he seeks to beat Cheuk Yiu for the time.
Zii Jia lost to Cheuk Yiu in their two previous clashes but the last time they met was in 2019.
Cheuk Yiu, despite not having the best form of late, should not be taken lightly.
He showed glimpses of his form en route to finishing runner-up at the Thailand Open in June.
The other semi-final pits defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China and compatriot Weng Hong Yang.
A repeat of last year's final is on the cards should both Zii Jia and Yu Qi win their matches at the Jyske Bank Arena today.
In men's doubles, Aaron-Wooi Yik staved off a stiff challenge from China's Ren Xiang Yu-He Ji Ting to earn their second straight semi-final appearance in Odense.
The world No. 4 won 24-22, 18-21, 21-12 and will look to march further when they face Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark today.
The World No. 6 Danes saw off Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-19, 11-21, 21-14 to prevent an all-Malaysian affair.
Now all eyes will be on Aaron-Wooi Yik if they can end the Danes' 13-match unbeaten streak, which started at the Hong Kong Open last month.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are hoping to reach their third final of the year and step up their bid for a maiden World Tour title.
They came close on three occasions this season, finishing runners-up at the China Open, Indonesia Open and India Open.