Sze Fei-Izzuddin cling on to top spot, Aaron-Wooi Yik closing in

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have retained their status as the world no. 1 pair - but the fight to stay at the top is far from over as they head into the Indonesia Open this week, with threats coming from both abroad and at home.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who last month became the first Malaysian shuttlers to reach the top of the world rankings since Lee Chong Wei in June 2017, nearly lost their grip following a quarter-final exit at the Singapore Open.
They were fortunate that world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen failed to capitalise.
The Danes, who had only just surrendered the top spot to the Malaysians a week earlier, needed to reach the final in Singapore to reclaim it - but fell short.
Now, Sze Fei-Izzuddin must fend off a new threat - in-form compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
Fresh off their title win in Singapore, the world No. 3 pair have surged into genuine contention, narrowing the gap to just 1,220 points heading into the Super 1000 tournament in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Masters champions Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who finished runners-up to Aaron-Wooi Yik in Singapore, continue to hold firm at world No. 7.
In the men's singles, Lee Zii Jia has slipped two more spots to No. 15 as he works his way back from injury. However, he remains eligible for all World Tour events thanks to his protected ranking of No. 9.
Leong Jun Hao stays as Malaysia's second-highest ranked men's singles player at No. 25, followed by rising star Justin Hoh, who climbs two places to No. 43.
In doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei continue to lead the way in the women's and mixed disciplines respectively, both maintaining their world No. 4 standings.
Also flying the flag in mixed doubles are Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who remain steady at No. 5.
Goh Jin Wei remains Malaysia's top-ranked women's singles player, though still well behind the leading pack at No. 49.
Men's doubles continues to be the nation's strongest department, with six pairs currently inside the world's top 32 — the cut-off that ensures automatic entry into World Tour events.
The other three pairs are Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23), Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28), and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32).
In the women's doubles, Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing are the only other Malaysian pair within the top 32 at No. 23, while Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin sit No. 13 in mixed doubles.