Japan Open: Three Malaysian pairs record impressive win to reach quarter-finals

Paris Olympics semi-finalists Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah checked into the Japan Open quarter-finals after cruising past their Danish opponents, with Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin joining them.

Tan-Thinaah are building momentum from their outing in Paris and continued to show that form against Julie Finne-Ipsen-Mai Surrow, whom they outclassed 21-11, 22-20 in this Super 750 event.

But the Malaysians’ biggest test will come against Chinese second seeds and Paris Olympics silver medalists Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in the last eight.

It was a good outing on Thursday for the Malaysian doubles' contingent as Goh-Izzuddin also carved out an impressive 21-14, 22-20 victory against Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang-heng-Yang Po-han.

Like Tan-Thinaah, the eighth seeds are also due a challenging contest against Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto on Friday.

In the mixed doubles, Chen-Toh tamed their Danish opponents in straight games 21-13, 21-13, and will face Chinese second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin for a place in the last four.

In the men’s singles, Leong Jun Hao fought hard against Kodai Naraoka but ultimately ran out of steam in the deciding game to lose 23-21, 10-21, 15-21 against the Japanese.