KUALA LUMPUR: Fresh off their stunning win over a Chinese pair, world No. 23 Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Junaidi are now aiming for another upset when they face Ren Xiang Yu-He Ji Ting in the second round of the Super 750 China Masters on Thursday (Nov 21).
Roy King-Arif silenced the home crowd at Shenzhen Gymnasium on Tuesday, edging world No. 16 Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi 21-17, 18-21, 21-16 in a 62-minute thriller.
The Malaysians now face an even bigger challenge against world No. 6 Xiang Yu-Ji Ting, China's Thomas Cup heroes, who dispatched compatriots Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri 21-12, 21-15 in just 32 minutes.
Roy King-Arif's victory ensures three Malaysian pairs feature in the same quarter of the draw, alongside Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong.
Should Roy King-Arif upset the sixth seeds, Malaysia would be guaranteed at least one pair in the semi-finals, as Aaron-Wooi Yik and Azriyn-Wee Kiong face each other in an all-Malaysian clash.
There are as many as seven Malaysian pairs in the 32-pair draw in Shenzhen.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi begin their campaigns tomorrow (Nov 20).