Razif warns Sze Fei-Izzuddin on world No.1 ranking
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Razif Sidek has questioned whether newly crowned world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are struggling to cope with the weight of expectations at the top.
The men's doubles pair suffered another blow on Friday, falling in the Singapore Open quarter-finals to Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty of India, extending their run of five consecutive events without a semi-final appearance.
"They're not handling the pressure well," said Razif bluntly.
"Becoming world No. 1 is easier than staying there. Everyone wants to beat you once you're on top, and they look like they're struggling to deal with that."
The Malaysians soared to world No. 1 on May 27 after winning three World Tour titles since turning professional and leaving the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in September last year.
But their form has dipped since lifting the Super 750 India Open in January, with recent defeats and early exits raising concerns.
Razif, who famously topped the world rankings in 1990 with his brother Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek, believes the pair have lost their spark and need to urgently regroup.
"They need to check and balance everything. Re-strategise, and figure out how to maintain their performance," he added.
"They used to be sharp and dangerous. Now, they're looking a little lost."
Razif pointed out that tough draws in recent tournaments may have contributed, but insisted there's no excuse for the lack of intensity.
"They're an attacking pair. That requires power, endurance and consistency, and I don't see that right now," said the former All England champion.
"They've clearly dropped off physically. They're not as offensive as they were post-Paris Olympics. Pressure may be one part of it, but they need to meet the physical demands that come with being the best."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will head into the Indonesia Open Super 1000 in Jakarta next week as the top seeds with a target on their backs.
They open against Taiwan's world No. 20 Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen, and are expected to face China's Xi Hao Nan-Zheng Wei Han (No. 30) and Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Isfahani (No. 8) before reaching the business end.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Jun Hao advances, Jin Wei falls at Indonesia Open
KUALA LUMPUR: Sole representative Leong Jun Hao kept Malaysia's hopes alive in the men's singles at the Indonesia Open with an assured display to check into the second round on Wednesday. The world No. 25 dispatched Indonesia's world No. 44 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-13, 21-12 in just 40 minutes at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta. Jun Hao will now look to emulate, if not better, his stunning run at last year's edition of the Super 1000 tournament, where he reached the quarter-finals on debut after upsetting home favourite Jonatan Christie and Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen, before bowing out to China's Li Shi Feng. He could be set for a rematch with world No. 4 Shi Feng in the last 16 - the reigning Asian Games gold medallist was still playing his opener against Brian Yang of Canada at press time. Jun Hao is hoping to carry on the momentum from last week's Singapore Open, where his impressive campaign ended in the hands of Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who went on to win the title and ascend to world No. 1. The recent results mark a welcome turnaround for Jun Hao after a difficult start to the year, which saw him suffer five first-round exits in his first eight tournaments. Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei's struggles continued after falling 22-20, 21-16 to Scotland's world No. 28 Kirsty Gilmour. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the world No. 49, who nearly stole the first game despite being 15-7 down at one stage. She mounted a remarkable fightback to level at 18-all and surged ahead 20-18, only to see Gilmour reel off the next four points. It was only the second career meeting between the two - the first coming nearly a decade ago at the 2015 Belgian International final, where Jin Wei, then just 15, emerged victorious as a rising star. The defeat marked Jin Wei's third successive first-round exit and her fifth in six World Tour events this year, continuing a worrying trend of inconsistency.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Jun Hao reaches second round, Aaron-Wooi Yik bows out
PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao had little trouble checking into the second round of the Indonesian Open after dispatching home favourite Chico Dwi Wardoyo on Wednesday (June 4). In the opening round clash at Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Jun Hao produced a composed performance to seal a 21-13, 21-12 win in just 40 minutes. Awaiting him in the second round on Thursday (June 5) was the winner of the first-round tie between Canada's Brian Yang and fourth seed Li Shifeng of China. In the women's singles, Goh Jin Wei's campaign came to an end after she fell to Scotland's Kirsty Gilmour 20-22, 16-21 in 37 minutes. Malaysia's biggest blow of the day, however, came in the men's doubles when third seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were shown the exit in a surprise upset. Fresh from winning the Singapore Open last week, Aaron-Wooi Yik were edged out by Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard 13-21, 21-19, 18-21. It was sweet revenge for the Danes, who had lost to the Malaysian pair in back-to-back tournaments at the Malaysian Masters and Singapore Open over the past two weeks.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Timely boost for Harimau Malaya's Asian Cup campaign
KUALA LUMPUR: The Harimau Malaya squad welcomed a timely boost ahead of their Group F AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier match against Vietnam at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil on June 10, following the inclusion of four new heritage players for the country. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced today in a statement that the four players are striker Rodrigo Holgado from Colombian club America de Cali, Sabah FC defender Jon Irazabal from Azerbaijan, Velez Sarsfield striker Imanol Machuca from Argentina, and Istanbul Basaksehir striker Joao Figueiredo from Turkey. 'All four players have been undergoing training sessions with the team for several days and have shown very impressive performances. As quality players, they are well prepared to strengthen the national squad to realize the dreams of all Malaysians,' the statement read. Meanwhile, Machuca, 25, stated that the opportunity to wear the national team colours is very special and a great honor for him. Holgado, 29, admitted that he has fallen in love with the atmosphere in Malaysia and is ready to give his all for the team coached by Peter Cklamovski. Irazabal, 28, shared his excitement about playing for the national squad, describing it as an unique moment, while Figueiredo, 29, expressed his desire to go further with Harimau Malaya on the Asian stage. The inclusion of these four players brings the total number of new heritage players for Malaysia this year to seven. Previously, FAM had secured the services of three heritage players, namely center-back Facundo Garces, who played in Argentina's top league; Portimonense SC midfielder Hector Hevel from Portugal; and left-back Gabriel Palmero, who represents Spanish club CD Tenerife B. Malaysia and Vietnam currently share the top spot in Group F of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers with three points each after both recorded wins in their opening matches. Harimau Malaya began their Group F campaign with a 2-0 victory over Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, Johor last March, while Vietnam defeated Laos 5-0 at home.
