V Shem-Khim Wah had a trouble-free 21-5, 21-13 win over Myanmar's Than Lwin Aung-Thet Lwin Myint but can expect a more testing encounter in the semi-finals today when they take on former Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.
The Malaysians can expect a hostile reception from the crowd as well after riling them during the pair's victory over Bona Septano-Mohammad Ahsan in Malaysia's 3-1 defeat to Indonesia in Tuesday's team final.
Coach Tan Kim Her, however, sees the match as one Indonesia cannot afford to lose and that could play into the hands of V Shem-Khim Wah.
"I have told them to just play as they always do and if you win, then good. Win or lose, as long as they go all out, that's the most important thing.
"They have already beaten the top seeds (Bona-Ahsan) so they have shown they have the ability to do it," said Kim Her.
The key to victory is trying to negate the ability of Markis-Hendra, who defeated Thailand's Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jongjit 21-17, 21-16, to return serve impeccably.
"My only worry is the (Indonesian's) return of serve. If V Shem-Khim Wah can overcome that, they have a chance of scoring an upset."
Bona-Ahsan downed Ong Soon Hock-Mak Hee Chun 21-14, 21-13 in another quarter-final while Malaysian interest in the women's doubles ended with the 24-22, 21-15 defeat of Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei to Indonesia's Anneke Feinya Augustine-Nitya Krishinda.
Tee Jing Yi came close to reaching the semi-finals in the women's singles when she led 16-15 in the third game against Thailand's top-seeded Porntip Buranaprasertsuk only to twist her ankle at a crucial moment.
The 20-year-old Jing Yi soldiered on in pain before succumbing 16-21, 21-14, 21-17 while Lydia Cheah also crashed out 23-21, 21-14 to Singapore's Fun Mingtian.
Thailand's top-seeded Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam beat Ong Jian Guo-Chong Sook Chin 21-8, 19-21, 21-13 in the mixed doubles while Liew Daren blew a 17-12 lead and three game points in the opening game against Indonesian men's singles top seed Taufik Hidayat to go down 22-20, 21-12. Courtesy of New Straits Times
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