KUALA LUMPUR: Rising national men's pair Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri, in a bid to edge closer to the world's top 15, enjoyed a winning start at the Japan Open today.
Hon Jian-Haikal, now at a career-best No. 19 ranking, overcame Germany's Jan Colin Voelker-Bjarne Geiss 12-21, 21-11, 21-16 at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa.
A greater challenge awaits them in the last 16 on Thursday, where they'll face former world No. 1 Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia in their first-ever encounter.
Despite the odds against them, Hon Jian-Haikal will want to prove their mettle by securing upset wins and progressing deep into this top-tier tournament.
Today's victory marks their first win in a Super 750 or higher event, having previously only competed in the Indonesia Open Super 1000.
The pair gained unrestricted access to all World Tour events in April this year after breaking into the world top 32.
Hon Jian-Haikal's rapid rise as the most improved men's doubles pair stems from their impressive 11-month run, claiming three World Tour titles, including two Super 300 events. Their recent progress was further highlighted by reaching their first Super 500 semi-finals at the Australian Open in June.
Meanwhile, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, amid rumours of their resignation from the national team, advanced to the next round after dispatching Japan's Kazuki Shibata-Naoki Yamada 21-13, 21-13.
The world No. 12 pair will next face Taiwan's Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han for a quarter-final berth.
Liu-Yang, ranked 129th globally, prevented an all-Malaysian clash by eliminating Eng Cheong-Low Hang Yee with a convincing 21-13, 21-17 victory.