PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are on course to retain their top ranking after storming into the quarter-finals of the Indonesian Open.

Their path was made easier following the early exits of their closest challengers.

Second-ranked Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark crashed out in the second round after a 27-29, 11-21 defeat to Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi on Thursday (June 5).

World No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik also failed to progress after losing to Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard in the opening round on Wednesday (June 4).

Sze Fei-Izzuddin, however, had to dig deep despite facing compatriots Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub in the second round.

The top seeds were made to work hard before sealing a 21-14, 16-21, 21-14 win in a 54-minute battle.

They will face Indonesia’s eighth seeds Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza Isfahani in the last eight on Friday (June 6).