Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin beat Chinese pair for maiden title

 

National men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani on the winners’ rostrum after emerging victorious in their first final since the 2017 Malaysian Open. (Twitter pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani beat China’s Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi to claim their first World Tour title at the German Open 2022 yesterday.

Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin saved two game points at 20-19 and 21-20 before staging a comeback to seal the first game 23-21.

However, a series of mistakes proved costly for the Malaysian pair as they crumbled 16-21 in the next game.

In the decider, Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin regained their composure to dominate from start to finish, winning 21-14 and take their maiden title.

This was the first final in five years for the Malaysians, ranked world number 17.

The last time they reached a final was in the 2017 Malaysian Masters, where they finished runners-up to Berry Angriawan-Hardianto of Indonesia.

The win will give Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin confidence in their next competition – the All England 2022 in Birmingham, England – which starts tomorrow.

They will take on He Ji Ting-Tan Qiang of China in the first round of the world’s oldest badminton tournament.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, who defeated Malaysian No. 1 Lee Zii Jia in the last four, continued his fine form to clinch the men’s singles title earlier with a 21-18, 21-15 win over Lakshya Sen of India.

The tournament was held in Westenergie Sporthalle, Muelheim. - FMT