Japan's top seeds Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi advanced to the semifinals of the women's Olympic badminton doubles on Monday.
Looking for Japan's second Olympic badminton medal and their nation's first gold, Matsutomo and Takahashi overcame an inspired effort from Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Khe Wei Woon of Malaysia in a 21-16, 18-21, 21-9 quarterfinal victory. Having never lost to the pair in seven matches, the Japanese pair seemed stunned in the second game.
Matsutomo and Takahashi will face South Korean fourth seeds Jung Kyung-eun and Shin Seung-chan, who also needed all three games to win their quarterfinal.