KUALA LUMPUR: Things continued to look up for professional shuttler Cheam June Wei as he reached his first World Tour semi-finals of the season at the Kaoshiung Masters in Taiwan.
The world No. 61 advanced after defeating unheralded Lokesh Reddy Kalagotla of India 21-16, 21-19 at Kaoshiung Arena on Friday.
June Wei will aim to build on this momentum when he takes on Taiwan's Cheng Kai Wen for a place in the final on Saturday.
The last time June Wei reached a final was at the Indonesia Masters, a Super 100 event, in 2022.
While the Kaoshiung Masters may only be a Super 100 event, winning it could mean the world to June Wei.
June Wei has been striving to revive his career as an independent player since leaving BAM in November 2021.
It seems June Wei is back on track.
Last week, he secured a morale-boosting victory at the Lin Dan Cup, a local event in China, earning a winner's paycheck of 200,000 yuan (approximately RM131,000).
However, rising star Justin Hoh's journey ended as he fell 21-18, 21-16 to Lee Chia Hao of Taiwan.
Ranked world No. 143, Justin is aiming to make an impact after recovering from a series of injuries.
He impressed for Malaysia as the third singles at the Thomas Cup Finals and clinched the Slovenia Open last month.
In the men's doubles, professional pairs Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong and Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub kept Malaysia's challenge alive by defeating their Taiwanese opponents.
Hang Yee-Eng Cheong beat He Zhi Wei-Huang Jui Hsuan 21-16, 21-8, while Azriyn-Wee Kiong secured a hard-fought 18-21, 21-14, 21-13 victory over Lu Ming Che-Tang Kai Wei.
They will face home rivals again, with Azriyn-Wee Kiong against Chen Zhi Ray-Lin Yu Chieh and Hang Yee-Eng Cheong taking on Chang Ko Chi-Chen Xin Yuan.
In mixed doubles, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien's run ended after they were knocked out by Taiwan's Cheng Kai Wen-Liu Chiao Yun 21-16, 21-18.