KUALA LUMPUR: Top seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik moved a step closer to their fourth title of the season after grinding out a hard-fought win to reach the men's doubles semi-finals of the Arctic Open in Vantaa, Finland, on Friday.

The world No. 2 were pushed to the limit before overcoming Taiwan's world No. 22 Liu Kuan Heng-Yang Po Han 21-19, 19-21, 21-17 in a 63-minute quarter-final at Energie Areena - their third consecutive victory over the Taiwanese pair.

The former world champions have already claimed three titles this year - the Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open - and remain on track for another deep run in Finland.

Up next for the Malaysians are Thailand's world No. 13 Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren, who stunned China's world No. 5 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang 19-21, 21-14, 21-19.

Aaron-Wooi Yik will fancy their chances, holding a perfect 3-0 head-to-head record against the Thais, including a semi-final win at the Thailand Open earlier this year.

With compatriots, Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri also advancing to the semi-finals, where they will face England's Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, Malaysian fans will be hoping for a dream all-Malaysian final.

Meanwhile, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah continued their impressive form to march into the women's doubles semi-finals.

The second seeds will face Taiwan's fourth seeds Hsieh Pei Shan-Hung En Tzu for a place in the final on Saturday.