Reigning champion Zii Jia advanced to the last eight stage after eliminating Canada’s Brian Yang 26-24, 21-11 in the second round early this morning.

Momota, the 2019 champion, tamed Heo Kwang-hee 21-16, 21-12, avenging defeats to the South Korean at the Tokyo Olympics and Thomas Cup last year.

“I know I’m playing the same person at the same venue where I lost last year. However, I’m not going to worry about it, I’m going to do my best,” Momota said after his match.

Zii Jia has won only twice against Momota in their 10 meetings, with the first coming last year at the All England quarterfinals, en route to his maiden major BWF World Tour title.

Mixed pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing also made it into the quarters, edging Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh-Supissara Paewsampran 21-19, 21-17.

However, Malaysia’s top men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s dream of winning their first World Tour title was dashed again.

The world No 7 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists lost to world No 19 He Ji Ting-Tan Qiang of China 21-15, 21-19.

Rio 2016 silver medallist Goh Liu Ying’s new partnership with Ong Yew Sin also suffered the same fate as they lost 21-5, 21-15 to China’s second seeds Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong in the mixed doubles.

Indonesians Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti defeated another mixed pair, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheeh Yee See, 21-16, 21-14.

Men’s singles veteran Liew Daren bowed out after a 21-18, 13-21, 9-21 defeat to Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen.