The world No 26 defeated unheralded Koo Takahashi 21-19, 22-20 in 53 minutes and would be facing Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in tomorrow’s last-16.

Justin Hoh, who will be playing his opener later today, is the only other Malaysian singles player remaining as Lee Zii Jia withdrew from the tournament because of an ankle injury.

Mixed doubles shuttlers Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai and Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien will also be lacing up later today.

Earlier this morning, all three Malaysian men’s doubles pairs – including top seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani – were knocked out of the tournament.

Meanwhile, women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei, ranked No 47 in the world, surprisingly defeated Taiwan’s world No 35 Pai Po Yu in straight games of 21-18, 21-12 in 34 minutes to qualify for the last 16. Jin Wei had been having a bad run since last year, having been always knocked out in the early rounds.

In the second round, the Malaysian player will take on the winner of the match between Thai Supanida Katethong and Bulgarian Kaloyana Nalbantova.

In another men’s singles match, Justin Hoh was trounced by Japan’s higher ranked player Yushi Tanaka. The Japanese player took just 31 minutes to win 21-7, 21-13.