Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto are already showing great early promise as a partnership.

The Japanese, both former world No.1s with previous partners, continued their impressive run by advancing to the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2025 quarterfinals with a 21-19 21-17 win over fellow new pair Kim Hye Jeong/Kong Hee Yong.

It marks their ninth win in 11 matches since teaming up in November, a remarkable start that has them excited about the potential of the pairing.

“We are really excited (by this partnership),” said Matsumoto. “It’s also nice to play other new pairs. We are looking forward to more such matches.”

Despite their steady takeoff, Fukushima and Matsumoto are focused on continuous improvement.

“Our main aim is improving our communication on court,” Matsumoto added. “We had some good discussions today, we want to build on that in upcoming matches.”

Fukushima had a highly successful 12-year partnership with Sayaka Hirota before injuries disrupted their journey. The duo reached three consecutive World Championships finals between 2017 and 2019, ironically losing two of those to Matsumoto and the now-retired Wakana Nagahara. Fukushima and Hirota parted ways after the Asian Championships in April.

“We plan to finish this season as a pair,” Fukushima confirmed, solidifying their commitment to one another for at least one year. Matsumoto expanded: “Our target is to stay focused in every match and most importantly, avoid injuries.”

Since joining forces, Fukushima/Matsumoto have finished runners-up in Kumamoto and made the semifinals at the China Masters.

With their two losses both coming against Chinese pairs – Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning and Li Yi Jing/Luo Xu Min – their credentials will again be put to test in the last eight tomorrow by world No.2s Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee.

→ Results (Day 3)

→ Order of play (Day 4)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“She brings a lot of positive energy. That’s important in every training session and every competition. I’m also doing more match analysis with her.” – Yeo Jia Min on working with new coach Kim Ji Hyun

“We feel like now we have the game plan to play them, it’s encouraging ahead of facing them again next week.” – Callum Hemming after he and Estelle van Leeuwen lost a close contest to Yang Po Hsuan/Hu Ling Fang, whom they open their India Open campaign against

“We came into this match highly motivated. It’s our home tournament. Going on holiday and relaxing has been good for me. We seem to have struck form at the right time.” – Teo Ee Yi after securing a quarterfinal spot over Jin Yong/Kang Min Hyuk with partner Ong Yew Sin

“I love playing here. The fans are special but they make me excited and nervous. I get a little too excited when I hear them but I have to keep calm. Maybe they wait for a trickshot or two from me. I’d love to do one of those.” – An Se Young shares her love for Malaysian fans

“I played a good match. He was steady in the opener and I dug deep in the hope he’d start to crack when I levelled things in the third game. It was tough to play from one side but I kept saying to myself I just needed to get to three to four points behind him and then it’s game on.” – Giant-hitter Prannoy H. S. on his mindset that pushed Li Shi Feng to the brink

“We tried to stay relaxed despite playing a top pair on home ground. We regarded ourselves as ‘the challengers’ and came with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude. Our sibling chemistry shone through and we believed we could beat them. Making the quarterfinal is a big moment for us. We are going to enjoy it.” – An ecstatic Lee Fang-jen soaking up the 21-18 21-14 win with twin brother Lee Fang-chih over Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik