KUALA LUMPUR: National mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei began their bid to capture the first title of their season, at the Swiss Open, by clearing a tough opener against Singapore's Terry Hee-Jessica Tan on Wednesday.
The world No. 9 produced an energetic display to defeat Birmingham Commonwealth Games champions Terry-Jessica 21-12, 19-21, 21-15.
It was the first time Tang Jie-Ee Wei clashed with Terry-Jessica, who are also a married couple.
By overcoming a stiff challenge from Singapore's world No. 19, the Malaysian duo's path to the final is all looking clear now.
Their next encounter is against unheralded Indian pair K. Sathish Kumar-Aadya Variyath. Sathish-Aadya prevented an all-Malaysian affair by prevailing 21-18, 11-21, 21-19 in a pulsating tie against Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, the third seeds, are now the highest-seeded pair left in the tournament after Thailand's second seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai retired during their encounter with B. Sumeeth Reddy-N. Sikki Reddy of India.
With China's top seeds, Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin also withdrawn prior to the tournament commencement, it is now up to Tang Jie-Ee Wei to justify their status.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei's best outing this year was finishing runners-up to Dechapol-Sapsiree at the Thailand Masters last month.
Meanwhile, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See have also checked into the last 16.
Soon Huat-Shevon beat Australia's Kenneth Choo-Gronya Somerville 21-19, 21-16 while Peng Soon-Yee See stunned compatriots Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, the last week's Orleans Masters semi-finalists, 21-17, 21-16.
However, Peng Soon-Yee See face a tall order against fifth seeds Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito of Japan next while Soon Huat-Shevon are up against Japanese duo Hiroki Nishi-Akari Sato.
In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao gave a good account of himself before going down 21-19, 15-21, 21-11 to the in-form Lakhsya Sen of India, a semi-finalist at the French Open and All England.
