KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 37 Leong Jun Hao rose to the occasion to restore Malaysia's lead in the Thomas Cup quarter-final battle against Japan after beating Koki Watanabe 21-13, 21-10 in the second singles.
Revenge was certainly sweet for Jun Hao after having lost to Watanabe during the semi-finals of the Asia Team Championships, which Malaysia won 3-1.
Earlier, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were unable to come good against Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, losing 18-21, 21-14, 21-19.
It was Aaron-Wooi Yik's seventh successive defeat.
Malaysia will now count on Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to deliver the third point when they face Akira Koga-Taichi Saito and seal a place in the semi-finals for the team.
Lee Zii Jia had given Malaysia a head start with a dominant 21-13, 21-3 win over Kenta Nishimoto in the opening singles.
