Zii Jia and Pang Ron-Su Yin are through to Arctic Open quarters

Lee Zii Jia- AFP

PETALING JAYA: Defending champion Lee Zii Jia reached the men's singles quarter-finals in the Arctic Open after defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka on Thursday (Oct 10).

World No. 4 Zii Jia showcased his strength against world No. 30 Tanaka in the opening game but had to fend off strong challenge in the second before wrapping up the match 21-11, 21-18 in 42 minutes at the Energia Arena in Vantaa, Finland.

It was Zii Jia's first meeting against Tanaka.

Zii Jia will face either China’s Lu Guangzu or Japan’s Koki Watanabe in the quarter-finals on Friday (Oct 11).

Meanwhile, Hoo Pan Rong-Cheng Su Yin continued their fine form when they upstaged sixth seeds Yang Po-hsuan-Hu Ling-fang of Taiwan 21-19, 21-12 to check into the last eight.

They will face the winners of the match between professionals Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran of Thailand.