KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who are reportedly leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) this month, continued their impressive run at the Japan Open by reaching the semi-finals today.
In the quarter-finals, the Malaysian world number 12 pair upset former world number one pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia with a 21-16, 10-21, 21-16 victory.
“We’re quite happy with our performance today, but there are many things we need to improve for the next match,” said Izzuddin in a post-match interview with BWF.
Sze Fei admitted that he and Izzuddin did not focus too much on the fact that Fajar and Rian were former world number one, instead choosing to concentrate on their own game.
“Our opponents weren’t in their best shape today – but credit to Din (Izzuddin), who played very well,” added Sze Fei.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin, the tournament’s eighth seeds, will face the winners of the match between another Indonesian duo Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana and Japan’s Kenya Mitsuhashi and Hiroki Okamura in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the road for Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, who bowed out in straight games, 21-15, 21-9 to reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea.
The third-seeded Koreans will play Indonesia’s Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin next. – August 23, 2024