Easy day in Jeonbuk for Jimmy-Pei Jing

Since teaming up in late March, the pair have steadily built a promising partnership, climbing to world No. 37 after 12 tournaments — a run that includes six finals and two semi-finals.

Their consistent progress now puts them within striking distance of the top 32, which would guarantee main-draw entries in all top-tier World Tour events.

Pei Jing, 33, who previously enjoyed a successful partnership with Tan Kian Meng, has been instrumental in guiding the 23-year-old Jimmy as they look to add depth to Malaysia's challenge in a discipline currently led by world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.

They will next face Taiwan's Huang Jui Hsuan-Chen Yan Fei for a place in the quarter-finals.

There was also cheer for debutants Loo Bing Kun-Noraqilah Maisarah, who made a winning start to their partnership by upsetting American world No. 58 pair Chen Zhi Yi-Francesca Corbett 21-13, 22-20.

Their victory reflects the national setup's continued effort to test new combinations, pairing seniors and juniors to build future depth.

Bing Kun, still searching for his senior breakthrough, found solid support in 18-year-old Noraqilah — fresh from winning girls' doubles silver with Low Zi Yu at the World Junior Championships last month.

In men's doubles, Lau Yi Sheng-Lim Tze Jian overcame South Korea's Han Sa Rang-Jang Joon Hee 21-14, 24-22, while Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong narrowly lost 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 to Cho Min Gyu-Lee Hyun Seop, also of South Korea.

Elsewhere, Wee Yee Hern-Vannee Gobi went down 21-13, 21-5 to South Korea's An Yun Seong-Lee Yu Lim, and Low Han Chen-Chan Wen Tse lost 21-12, 21-14 to another home pair, Kang Geon Hui-Lee Hye Won.