Ohori's magic lifts husband Yew Sin at Japan Open
The 29-year-old, who tied the knot with Ohori last month, booked his place in the men's doubles quarter-finals with partner Teo Ee Yi after grinding out a 19-21, 21-14, 21-19 win over Americans Presley Smith-Chen Zhi Yi in Tokyo on Thursday.
The victory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium marks only their second quarter-final appearance on the World Tour this season.
Ohori, a former world No. 7 who retired earlier this year, was in the stands cheering on her husband, and her support seems to be having the desired effect.
World No. 30 Yew Sin-Ee Yi have struggled since reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open in January.
They suffered a dismal run of seven first-round exits in a row and looked set for another early exit in Tokyo.
But the independent pair pulled off a massive upset in the opening round by stunning world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in straight games — a result that could revive their season.
Now into the last eight of the Super 750 tournament, the Malaysians have already bettered their showing last year when they bowed out in the second round.
However, they face a tough test next against China's world No. 6 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang on Friday.
Yew Sin will be hoping Ohori's magic continues, and perhaps impresses one very important spectator: her father, Hitoshi Ohori, the current Japan national head coach, who will no doubt be watching closely.
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