Zhao Jun Peng intends to be more confident against Lee Zii Jia when both shuttlers do battle to earn a quarter-final slot at the BWF World Championships on Thursday.

As expected, Lee did not have much trouble overcoming Portugal’s Bernardo Atilano 21-9, 21-13 to book the meeting against the Chinese, who did well to beat India’s K. Srikanth.

When asked on his thoughts on facing Lee on Thursday, Zhao said: “When I played him in the beginning of the year, I wasn’t confident. I am hoping to do better this time around.”

Lee beat Zhao in their only meeting at the German Open in March in straight games.

There were a host of other Malaysians through to the next round as well.

Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han 22-20, 21-18 to set up an all Malaysian clash against team-mates Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin.

The duo said they had to be savvy against their opponents who were much superior in strength.

“Our opponents were stronger, so we had to deploy a tactical gameplan. Our consistency is still not there yet. We are looking to gain confidence in every point,” they said.

Goh-Izzuddin made it through after they beat Irish duo Joshua Magee-Paul Reynolds 21-13, 21-12.

Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah were also impressive in the women’s doubles, with the Commonwealth Games gold medallists disposing of Indian pair Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand 21-8, 21-17.

The world number 12 pair had been playing a lot of badminton in the last few weeks, but said they felt refreshed after a short break from winning gold in Birmingham.

They take on fifth seeds Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida next.

In the mixed doubles, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai overcame England’s Gregory Mairs-Jenny Moore 21-13, 21-18 and play French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue next.

Soniia Cheah and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, meanwhile, saw their challenges come to an end after straight game defeats.