KUALA LUMPUR: The Korea Masters continues to bring out the best in independent shuttler Soong Joo Ven.
Joo Ven, a semi-finallist last year, delivered one of his best performances of the season when he eliminated defending champion Jeon Hyeok Jin in the round of 16 today.
The world No. 79 came from behind to win 7-21, 21-14, 21-17, marking his first victory in four meetings against world No. 53 Hyeok Jin.
Hyeok Jin stole the limelight during the Hangzhou Asian Games when he defeated Lee Zii Jia in the men's team event first round, helping South Korea win bronze.
"I'm very pleased with today's win. What more can I ask for than beating a defending champion on his own turf," said Joo Ven.
"Hyeok Jin and I are actually from the same batch and quite close. He remains one of the best Korean men's singles players despite struggling with injuries over the years."
The win earned Joo Ven a dream rematch with Japan's Kento Momota in Friday's quarter-final after 11 years.
Joo Ven had only faced Momota once, where he was narrowly defeated by the two-time world champion at the 2012 Asian Junior Championships.
Joo Ven believes that world No. 52 Momota would still be a formidable opponent despite his recent struggles.
"It's going to be an interesting match. I played Momota in 2012, and it turned out to be the last too. I just couldn't catch up with him after moving up to the senior ranks," said Joo Ven.
"It's better to be late than never; I've always wanted to play against him again. After what happened in recent years, Momota, for me, remains one of the most respectable figures. I look forward to the challenge."
Momota, playing in his first international event in three months, showed no signs of rustiness when he defeated Germany's Kai Schaefer 21-17, 21-16.
Last week's KL Masters winner Leong Jun Hao also secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Jun Hao's match against Finland's Kalle Koljonen was cut short after the latter retired due to injury while trailing 3-0. Jun Hao had won the opening game 21-16.
In men's doubles, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will take on reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae in the last eight following 21-14, 21-18 victory over Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Yang Ming Tse of Taiwan.
The Koreans were also in top form as they defeated Malaysian professionals Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub 21-18, 21-9.
Malaysia's prospects in mixed doubles look promising as Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing all advanced to the quarter-finals.
World No. 9 Tang Jie-Ee Wei outclassed Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin 21-9, 21-8; Soon Huat-Shevon beat Lee Yeon Woo-An Yun Seong 21-11, 21-13; while Kian Meng-Pei Jing claimed a hard-fought 22-20, 18-21, 21-18 victory over Taiwan's Wu Hsuan Yi-Yang Chu Yun.