Lee Zii Jia is Malaysia’s last competitor standing after he beat compatriot Soong Joo Ven 21-18 , 21-14. Lee will next face Nishimoto Kenta of Japan.

Second seed Naraoka Kodai made it through in straight sets, albeit a tight affair lasting over an hour. The Japanese battled past Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand 21-17, 21-18 to progress to the final eight.

Verma was not the only Indian man to taste success on Thursday, as H.S. Prannoy won comfortably against Misha Zilberman of Israel. The competition’s fifth seed prevailed in straight sets on Court 2, winning 21-17, 21-15 to set up an enticing quarter-final with Naraoka.

The other men’s singles quarter-finals see an all-Chinese Taipei matchup between Chou Tien Chen and Lee Chia Hao.

The later rounds of the Australian Open are available to stream live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the Olympics mobile app, subject to territorial restrictions.