The national men’s doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik made it into their first quarter-final of the year at the Indonesian Masters – but they can hardly crack a smile.

The world No. 9 will be up against their compatriots for the second straight week, and this time it’s new independents Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.

Aaron-Wooi Yik reached the last eight after a convincing 21-15, 21-13 win over Denmark’s Mathias Boe-Mads Conrad-Petersen while world No. 23 Yew Sin-Ee Yi went through after beating Jones Ralfy Jansen-Peter Kaesbauer of Germany 21-17, 21-12.

Malaysia are thus assured of having one pair in the semi-finals.

Aaron said it feels “awkward” for him and Wooi Yik to play their seniors Yew Sin-Ee Yi almost immediately after the latter turned professionals last week.

“It’s going to be awkward. Just a few weeks ago we were teammates, but we are going to face them as professionals tomorrow,” said Aaron.

“Just last week, we had to face V Shem-Wee Kiong. It’s always difficult because none of us want to knock the other out.

“But that’s how the draw is, and there’s nothing we can do. May the best pair win and continue to fly Malaysia’s flag high in the tournament.” said Aaron who with Wooi Yik beat V Shem-Wee Kiong in the first round of the Malaysian Masters last week.

Aaron-Wooi Yik will again start as favourites having beaten Yew Sin-Ee Yi twice in their last three meetings. The last victory came in the first round of Denmark Open last October.

In the mixed doubles competition, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing continued their fine run but it was the end of the road for Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.

World No. 6 Peng Soon-Liu Ying beat Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei-Hsu Ya-ching 21-15, 21-17 to set up a meeting with world No. 1 Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong.

Kian Meng-Pei Jing will face South Korea’s Ko Sung-hyun-Eom Hye-won for a place in the semis after ousting Alfian Eko Prasetya-Annisa Saufika of Indonesia 21-13, 21-11.

Sung-hyun-Hye-won booked their place by triumphing 21-15, 21-14 over Soon Huat-Shevon, dashing hopes of making it a second all-Malaysian affair in the quarter-finals besides the men’s doubles.