Second seeds Watanabe-Higashino had to toil for a 21-15, 12-21, 21-15 win over China’s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in the semifinals to check into their second straight Malaysia Open final at the Axiata Arena here today.

Watanabe hopes to come up with a better strategy so that he and Higashino can finally taste victory over the seventh-seeded Won-ho and Na-eun, having lost to the South Koreans in their three previous match-ups.

The 26-year-old Watanabe added that a victory in the final would go a long way to making amends for their disappointing 19-21, 11-21 defeat by China’s Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong in last year’s final.

“We aim to return to the court with a fresh mindset, give our best performance and emerge victorious tomorrow,” he said.

Won-ho and Na-eun, meanwhile, will be making their maiden Super 1000 final appearance after taking 41 minutes to end the gallant run of Singapore’s unseeded pair of Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, winning 21-16, 21-16.

A delighted Na-eun said she was on the verge of tears upon securing a spot in the final and being just one step away from achieving the biggest title win in their career.

Their previous best achievement was winning the Thailand Open (Super 500) last year.

“I had butterflies in my stomach and was deeply moved by today’s result. We will give our best in the final tomorrow,” Na Eun said.

Won-ho, also optimistic about their chances of clinching the title, is determined to enhance their gameplay and on-court communication in the final.

The Singaporeans, beaten but not broken, have vowed to maintain their momentum as they head for the India Open in New Delhi next week.

Yesterday, the husband-and-wife combination stunned 2021 world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 21-16, 21-19 in the last eight.