KUALA LUMPUR: Chia Wei Jie-Teo Ee Yi will have to overcome Japan’s former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi to extend their impressive run at the Korea Open.
The world No. 39 Malaysians have exceeded expectations in Yeosu, but Friday’s quarter-final at Jinnam Stadium presents their toughest test.
Wei Jie-Ee Yi secured their first Super 500 quarter-final appearance as a pair after defeating Taiwan’s world No. 38 He Zhi Wei-Huang Jui Hsuan 21-9, 21-19 on Thursday. Earlier they stunned China’s world No. 11 and fourth seeds Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi 21-14, 21-19 in the opening round.
That was their biggest scalp since teaming up in April and provided a timely boost following a disappointing European swing last month.
However, fifth seeds Hoki-Kobayashi, the 2021 world champions, look formidable. They booked their quarter-final berth after defeating Malaysian veteran Goh V Shem and his South Korean partner Choi Sol Gyu 21-14, 19-21, 21-15 in the second round.
For Ee Yi, the encounter will also bring back memories of the 2021 World Championships in Huelva, Spain, where Hoki-Kobayashi beat him and former partner Ong Yew Sin. The Japanese defeated Yew Sin-Ee Yi 21-13, 21-9 in the semi-finals.
Five years later, Ee Yi will have another opportunity to beat the Japanese duo, this time alongside Wei Jie.