KUALA LUMPUR: Boys' doubles Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing showed composure under pressure to defeat Indonesia's Dexter Ferrell-Wahyu Agung Prasetyo, securing a semi-final spot at the World Junior Championships in Nanchang today.
The top seeds had a sluggish start but found their rhythm to claim a 23-21, 21-7 victory in 38 minutes.
Last year, Aaron won bronze alongside Bryan Jeremy Goonting, while Khai Xing and his former partner, Low Han Chen, exited in the last 16 in Spokane, United States.
Aaron credited their coach, Pang Cheh Chang, for guiding them through the tough encounter.
"We struggled to find momentum in the first game, but our combination clicked in the second," said Aaron.
"We followed his advice, which helped us finish strongly."
Aaron-Khai Xing will face China's Chen Yong Rui-Chen Zhe Han in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Khai Xing said: "We're thrilled to make it to the semis.
"We will go all out against the Chinese pair. We've got nothing to lose."
In the women's doubles, Low Zi Yu-Sofea Dania Zaidi cruised past compatriots Ong Xin Yi-Carmen Ting 21-11, 21-16 to book their semi-final spot.
Meanwhile, in the boys' singles, Faiq Hazq Masawi's run came to an end with a 21-18, 21-15 loss to Indonesia's Zaki Unaidillah in the quarter-finals.
In mixed doubles, Datu Anif Isaac Datu Asrah-Dania also bowed out after a 17-21, 21-14, 21-12 defeat to China's Lin Xiang Yi-Liu Yuan Yuan.