KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun will aim for a repeat victory against world champions Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae in tomorrow's Japan Open quarter-finals.
World No. 17 Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who stunned the world No. 4 South Koreans at the Indonesia Open in June en route to a runner-up finish, advanced with a 21-16, 21-19 win over compatriots Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi today.
With several top pairs absent, the Malaysians see an opportunity to build on their Jakarta success.
Reaching the final could propel them to 13th in world rankings.
However, they first face Min Hyuk-Seung Jae, eager to rebound from a disappointing Paris Olympics showing.
A win would pit Wei Chong-Kai Wun against either Indonesia's Shobihul Fikri-Daniel Marthin or China's Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi.
In mixed doubles, resurgent veterans Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing reached their third consecutive quarter-final, defeating Thailand's Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudiaipraparat 21-12, 21-16.
They next face Hong Kong's two-time World Championships bronze medallists Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet.