Yew Sin-Ee Yi defeated the world’s No 6 pair 25-23, 21-19 in a match lasting 41 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

The Malaysians, ranked 24 rungs below the Chinese, have now won twice in their five encounters so far.

They will next meet South Korea’s world No 3 pair Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, who defeated Malaysians Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun earlier.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi started off their campaign at the Japan Open with a first-round win over fancied compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.

The pair have struggled since reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open in January, and have suffered a dismal run of seven first-round exits in a row before the present tournament.

It is also their first semi-final appearance in a World Tour Super 750 event.

Their only World Tour title came at the Super 300 Australian Open in 2022.

According to netizens, Yew Sin’s recent marriage to former Japanese badminton star Aya Ohori is proving to be a lucky charm at the Japan Open.