Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stormed into the Malaysia Masters quarter-finals after winning one of the longest rallies in history, while a lethargic Lee Zii Jia bowed out in a dramatic day two at the Axiata Arena.

Three men’s doubles pairs — Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi — also booked their last eight berths to ensure a healthy Malaysian representation on Friday, but Tan-Thinaah were the toast of the day thanks to their breathless performance.

The world number 11 beat Japanese pair Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto 21-17, 18-21, 21-19 in an absorbing 89-minute contest, but what transpired towards the tail end of the deciding game will be forever remembered.

Tan-Thinaah engaged in a 211-shot exchange with a 16-14 lead as all four shuttlers were pushed to their limits to outwit each other.

It finally came to an end after Tan sliced a wicked crosscourt dropshot that their opponents could not get over the net, which the Malaysians celebrated in sheer exhaustion.

“We didn’t want to kill that shot off too fast, because we knew they were also mentally prepared to go all the way. But we were prepared too, and we’re happy to have come through,” said the pair, who next face another Japanese pair Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota.

Lee was also taken to the wire as the former All-England winner slumped to court numerous times due to exhaustion, eventually losing 19-21, 21-16, 15-21 after 87 minutes.

The world number eight also had to receive treatment on his right leg in the decider.

Lee didn’t take any interviews afterwards as his sister later confirmed he was feeling unwell prior to the match.

“He has been feeling uncomfortable the past few days, and he has been taking medicine. We hoped he could have made a full recovery before this tournament but it wasn’t to be,” she said.

Chia-Soh, meanwhile, came through after they overcame South Korea’s Choi Sol-gyu-Kim Won-ho 21-19, 21-14 to set up a meeting against Indonesia’s Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin.

Man-Tee also take on an Indonesia pair Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan.

Ong-Teo ensured a sweet end for Malaysia as they won the final match of the day by beating Lu Ching Po-Yang Po Han 15-21, 21-12, 21-19.

The world number eight pair are up against South Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae on Friday.