PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Tan Kian Meng has been enjoying a special noodle dish called Tokyoaburagumi every day since arriving in Japan.
And the good food must have done some wonders as yesterday, Kian Meng and his partner Lai Pei Jing gave a remarkable performance to upstage reigning Korean Masters champions Kim Won-ho-Jeong Na-eun of South Korea to reach the Japan Masters quarter-finals.
The duo, who have dropped to the 21st spot in the world, stunned world No. 7 Won-ho-Na-eun 21-14, 21-17 in the second round at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium.
“We performed quite well today and hope to maintain this form here,” said Kian Meng.
He said they did not make any drastic changes in their game that saw them beating the Koreans for the second time in three meetings but the only unusual thing that they had been doing was frequenting this restaurant Tokyo- aburagumi Sohonten Kuma-motogumi every day.
“There is this one noodle dish that is so special here and it’s so delicious. We have been enjoying it every day,” said Kian Meng.
“In fact, other shuttlers also come here to eat. Trust me, it’s really good.”
And today, when he and Pei Jing take on second seeds Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino of Japan, they hope to dish out another good showing.
“Of course, they have the home advantage but sometimes, playing in their own den can also be added pressure. We will focus on our game, and hope to go far.”
Kian Meng-Pei Jing have only won three times in 10 meetings against the Olympic Games bronze medallists, with their last win being at the Denmark Open in 2021.
Malaysia also have another representative in the mixed doubles quarter-finals in Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei but the duo have a tough job as they will play top seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China for a place in the semi-finals.
World No. 10 Tang Jie-Ee Wi have beaten professionals Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 16-21, 21-13, 21-13 in the second round on Thursday.
They have lost to their Chinese opponents in the last two meetings at the Japan Open and Asian Games but will the Malaysians be able to tear the formbook apart today?
