Sze Fei-Izzuddin make it to Japan Open final in style

 The defending champions were in total control as they beat up-and-coming Taiwan pair Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han in straight games.

This is the second final appearance this year for Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who won the India Open title in January. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani kept alive their bid to retain the Japan Open men’s doubles title by putting up a splendid display to beat Taiwanese pair Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han in straight games.

The world No 1 pair were in total control as they defeated the up-and-coming duo with relative ease, winning 21-19, 21-11 in a match that lasted 35 minutes at the Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo.

It was the Malaysians’ second win in their two encounters so far.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin will take on South Korea’s world No 3 pair Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae in the final tomorrow.

In last year’s final, Seung Jae-Won Ho lost to Sze Fei-Izzuddin in three games.

In today’s match, the top seeds showed sheer fighting spirit by winning the first game even after trailing 8-14 at one point. They gave their opponents little chance of a fightback in the second game with a commanding display.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin are now poised to not only defend their title but also win a second World Tour 750 series this year after their first success at the India Open in January.

In addition, their final appearance assures the duo of maintaining the top position in the Badminton World Federation ranking as they will earn 11,000 points as winners or 9,350 points as runners-up.

The winners in the doubles events will also take home US$70,300 (RM298,500) while the runners-up will receive US$33,250 (RM141,180). - FMT