KUALA LUMPUR: Three Malaysian pairs have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Super 100 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, keeping local title hopes alive today.
Men's doubles scratch pair Kang Khai Xing-Lok Hong Quan delivered a composed performance to beat Japan's Takuto Goto-Tsubasa Yoshida 21-17, 21-19.
They were joined in the last eight by women's doubles duo Dania Sofea-Tan Zhing Hui, who pulled off an upset by defeating India's Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra 21-15, 24-22.
In the mixed doubles, Liew Xun-Nicole Tan also advanced after defeating compatriots Wee Yee Hern-Vannee Gobi 21-17, 21-13, 21-12.
Earlier, Justin Hoh crashed out of the men's singles last 16, losing 21-10, 21-18 to Indonesia's Richie Duta Richardo to extend his inconsistent run this year.
The BA of Malaysia player has reached the quarter-finals in only two of 15 events this season.
Vietnam Open winner Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin also fell in the last 16, losing 21-18, 8-21, 21-9 to China's Zhu Xuan Chen.
Khai Xing-Hong Quan are among the new combinations currently being tested by national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
Khai Xing, whose regular partner Aaron Tai won the Super 500 Arctic Open with Yap Roy King on Sunday, said his on-court communication with Hong Quan has improved.
"It feels good to play together. We have been taking things step by step without putting too much pressure on ourselves, and our communication on court has improved. I hope we can continue to give our best," Khai Xing said.
"Today, we were more confident. We did not lift the shuttle too much and tried to put our opponents under pressure rather than slowing down the game."
Khai Xing-Hong Quan will face Taiwan's Chen Bo Yuan-Lu Ming Che for a place in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Hong Quan, who previously partnered Faiq Haziq Masawi, said it was a different experience playing with the more experienced Khai Xing.
"I am happy to have the opportunity to play with a different partner this time, as I have been partnering with Faiz for a long time," Hong Quan said.
Meanwhile, Faiq and senior Wan Arif Junaidi — Roy King's regular partner — fell in the last 16 after losing 21-8, 21-17 to South Korea's Na Seung Sung-Wang Chan.
Dania-Zhing Hui will face South Korea's Lee Seung He-Park Min Ji in the quarter-finals tomorrow.
Other Malaysian women's doubles pairs were eliminated in the last 16.
Vanessa Ng-Tan Zhing Yi lost 21-8, 21-15 to Thailand's Hathaithip Mijad-Napapakorn Tungkas, while Cheng Su Hui-Chong Jie Yu were beaten 14-21, 21-16, 26-24 by Thailand's Ornnicha Jongsathaporn-Sabrina Sophita Wedler.
Meanwhile, Liew Xun-Nicole will take on Indonesia's Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Melati Daeva Oktavianti in the mixed doubles quarter-finals tomorrow.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd