Lin Dan eyes on Tsuneyama clash, No.1 Momota suffers shock defeat

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China's hope for men's singles title at the Malaysia Open has been given a boost as superstars Lin Dan, Shi Yuqi and Chen Long booked their places in the quarter-finals.

The 35-year-old "Super Dan" continued a powerful comeback following his first-round victory against third seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei to seal another win when he downed Suppanyu Avihingsanon of Thailand 25-23, 21-8 in the second round on Thursday night.

The six-time tournament winner's next opponent will be Japan's Kanta Tsuneyama, who defeated Thailand's Sitthikom Thammasin 21-19, 20-22, 21-11.

The giant killer Tsuneyama, 22, had shocked 2018 All England finalist and six-time champion Lin Dan earlier at the All England Open in Birmingham in March. Lin crashed out of the tournament in a 19-21, 21-14, 21-7 defeat to Tsuneyama but the Chinese veteran said he will not give up playing despite struggling.

Lin cited Lee Chong Wei as one of the reasons why he's still motivated to challenge for honors.

"It's also because Chong Wei himself has not yet retired, which is what keeps me on the court. Both of us are still fighting hard for a place in the Olympics together," said Lin.

Kento Momota suffers a surprise second-round defeat at the BWF Malaysia Open on Thursday. /VCG Photo

World No.1 Kento Momota suffered a surprise second-round defeat while facing Indonesia's Jonatan Christie after Tuesday's first round win over Denmark's Jan Jorgensen. The Asian Games champion delivered one of the best performances of his career when he packed off Momota 22-20, 21-15 in 46 minutes to reach the quarters.

The Indonesian admitted that it wasn't an easy game to face Momota but the biggest upset of the day made him proud.

"Momota is still the best player now. He is the world No.1 and the world champion. I played better today because I had nothing to lose, while it was the opposite for Momota," said the 21-year-old.

Another Japanese Kenta Nishimoto, who came from a game down to beat Denmark's Rasmus Gemke 18-21, 21-15, 21-9, is now set to face second seed Shi Yuqi of China, a 21-18, 21-19 winner over Denmark's Anders Antonsen.

Women's top seed Tai Tzu-Ying of Chinese Taipei claimed a second-round victory against Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand 21-16, 21-14 to secure a quarter-final place against another Thai shuttler Ratchanok Intanon.

All England Open Champion China's Chen Yufei won an all-Chinese match against Chen Xiaoxin 21-12, 21-14 to reach the last eight. Chen will next face South Korea's Sung Ji-hyun, who beat India's top player Sindhu.