KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Justin Hoh took a significant step towards winning the Guwahati Masters in India when he overcame Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in the quarter-finals today.
In a thrilling 67-minute battle at Saru Sajai Indoor Sports Complex, India, on Friday, the 19-year-old Justin secured a 17-21, 22-20, 21-17 victory against the reigning world junior champion.
Justin will face another Indonesian opponent, Alvi Wijaya Chairullah, in the semi-finals tomorrow as he seeks to make a remarkable comeback from injury and reach his first-ever World Tour final.
Justin defeated Alvi this year at the Iran International Challenge semi-finals in February.
Fans are keeping their fingers crossed for an all-Malaysian final, hoping Cheam June Wei will materialise this dream.
June Wei advanced to the last four with a convincing 14-21, 21-12, 21-9 win over India's Kartikey Gulshan Kumar. He faces Indonesia's Yohanes Saut Marcellyno tomorrow.
Choong Hon Jian will be involved in the men's doubles and mixed doubles semi-finals tomorrow.
Malaysia are assured a spot in the men's doubles final with Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri taking on Boon Xin Yuan-Goh V Shem in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Hon Jian-Haikal defeated India's Achutaditya Rao-Venkata Harsha Vardhan 21-9, 21-14, while Xin Yuan-V Shem outlasted Lwi Sheng Hao-Jimmy Wong 18-21, 21-16, 22-20.
Hon Jian will also feature in the mixed doubles, partnering with Go Pei Kee,
following a 21-18, 21-13 win over Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See.
They will face Denmark's Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch tomorrow.
In the women's singles, K. Letshanaa's gallant run ended as she succumbed to a 21-12, 21-16 defeat against India's Malvika Bansod.