KUALA LUMPUR: Timmy Tan and Rafiq Ismail are best buddies but both will have to put their friendship aside as they bid for individual glory at the IBF World Cup in Queensland, Australia.
Timmy, 28, and Rafiq, 25, will face off in the quarter-finals tomorrow after clearing their respective opening two hurdles in the knockout stage today.
Timmy was in his element as he first defeated Jaroslav Lorenc of the Czech Republic 2-0 (248-186, 212-203) before overcoming 19-time PBA Tour winner Jakob Butturff 2-0 (226-171, 219-213).
Rafiq was just as impressive, powering to a 2-0 win (225-167, 259-190) over Sweden's James Blomgren in what was a clash of two former world singles champions.
Rafiq won the singles gold at the 2018 World Championships in Hong Kong while Blomgren took last year's honour in Dubai.
Earlier in the last 32, Rafiq edged Israel Hernandez of Puerto Rico 2-0 (204-190, 190-185).
Timmy is relishing his first battle with Rafiq on the international stage.
"We have fought numerous battles in local events, but this will be our first time facing off in a major international event. Again, may the best man win," said Timmy, who edged Rafiq to become the national champion in 2015.
"One thing for sure, we've both done our part for the nation. By making it an all-Malaysian affair, at least our country is assured of a place in the semi-finals."
Seasoned campaigner Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek made it three Malaysian representatives in the last eight after scoring a 2-1 win (226-218, 196-203, 256-204) over Jesper Svensson of Sweden.
In the first hurdle, Syafiq, 36, overcame a stiff challenge from Jordan Dinham of the Philippines before winning 2-1 (212-210, 264-151, 216-192).
Syafiq is bidding to add a second World Cup title to his name having won the 2012 edition in Wroclaw, Poland, then contested as just an individual event.
In the women's division, former world youth champion Natasha Roslan was the only survivor among the three Malaysian quarter-finalists.
Natasha secured her passage with a convincing 2-0 win (246-182, 234-170) against Jordan Richard.
Li Jane went down fighting to Sweden's Josefin Hermansson in a high-scoring encounter, losing 2-1 (241-257, 237-227, 226-204), while Siti was narrowly defeated 2-1 (215-206, 215-243, 286-237).
The tournament resumes tomorrow with the men's and women's team knockout stage.