Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin cruise into second round at Singapore Open
MALAYSIA's world number one men's doubles pair, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, kicked off their Singapore Open campaign with an easy win over Taiwanese pair Lee Fang-Chih and Lee Fang-Jen at the Singapore Indoor Stadium today.
The professional duo needed just 32 minutes to secure a 21-13, 21-11 victory before a strong crowd of Malaysian supporters.
Sze Fei noted that they had great synergy throughout the game and will now focus on their next match against compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King, who earlier defeated the French pair Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi 21-13, 21-18 in 36 minutes.
Asked if being ranked number one boosted their morale, Nur Izzuddin said, for him, it's 'just a number.'
'We will focus on improving our game. We always have a target, but we just want to enjoy the match,' Sze Fei added.
Meanwhile, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik also advanced to the second round after defeating Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard of Denmark in a 48-minute battle.
The two-time Olympic bronze medalists won 21-19, 24-22 against the world number 16 pair, repeating their victory against the duo in the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Masters.
Wooi Yik noted that they made a number of unforced errors in the second set but was glad they were able to come back and clinch the win.
'On the first day, I was able to control the shuttle well. I'm happy to have regained focus in the second set,' he told the media.
Aaron added that back-to-back finals at the Thailand Open and Malaysia Masters did not affect their game and hoped to continue with this positive stride in Singapore.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will meet Japanese pair Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi who defeated Malaysian duo Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-16, 21-18.
Newly-crowned Malaysia Masters champions Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also showed great performance to defeat Taiwanese pair Chen Zhi Ray-Lin Yu Chieh 21-18, 21-19.
Wei Chong noted that winning the Malaysia Masters boost their morale, pushing them to enjoy their opening match today.
'We play well today but we let go of six match points in the second set because we slowed down our game a bit and our opponent managed to catch up with us,' he said, adding that they will keep their focus and enjoy the next match against Huang Di-Liu Yang of China.
The country's top women's doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also advanced to the second round after defeating Lui Lok Lok-Tsang Hiu Yan of Hong Kong 21-16, 21-18 in 33 minutes.
Thinaah said although she is not entirely satisfied with her performance, she hopes to be better prepared for tomorrow's match
'Yes, unforced errors quite a lot from both of us but we stick to our game play and motivate each other throughout the match,' she told Bernama.
Earlier, national men's singles player Leong Jun Hao also advanced to the next round after receiving a walkover from Chinese player Lei Lan Xi.
Next, world number 25 Jun Hao will face fifth-seeded Jonathan Christie of Indonesia for a place in the quarterfinals of the Super 750 tournament.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing outcome for national men's doubles pair Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal Nazri, who lost to Indian duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21-16, 21-13.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
China dominates France, Türkiye outlasts Poland in VNL Beijing leg (updated)
BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Host China thrilled the home crowd with a dominant straight-set victory over France, while Türkiye battled past Poland in a five-set showdown on Saturday at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Beijing, setting the stage for a high-stakes final day. China swept France 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-11) in the evening session, delivering a commanding performance in front of a packed home audience at the National Indoor Stadium. This young Chinese squad, with more than half the players making their international debuts, opened its campaign with a win over Belgium before falling to Poland on Thursday. "We made important adjustments after the last match," said China's head coach Zhao Yong. "This young team continues to improve match by match. Today, our preparation, execution, and team spirit were all at a high level." Outside hitters Wu Mengjie and Zhuang Yushan led China's scoring with 17 and 15 points respectively, while middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan added 10. The team also saw a strong debut from 17-year-old Wang Aoqian, who was added to the roster earlier in the day and contributed six points, including five in the third set. "We needed to improve our middle attack, and Wang Aoqian has good chemistry with our setter Zhang Zixuan. For a 17-year-old playing her first big international match - and entering during a tough moment - she did really well," Zhao said. Reflecting on her first international appearance, Wang Aoqian admitted she was nervous at first. "I was already very tense on the bench. When coach Zhao asked me to warm up, I was shaking a little, but my teammates helped calm me down," she said. "For attacking, I think I can contribute. Since the coach trusted me, I just gave it all." "I've played with our setter Zhang Zixuan before, so I felt confident partnering with her. I think the coach wanted me to help relieve pressure on our wing hitters by keeping the middle attack alive. After I got my first point, I gradually settled in," she added. In the opening set, China pulled away after a 4-all tie with consecutive blocks and strong net play. The hosts surged to a 12-9 lead, forcing a French timeout, and never looked back. Zhuang Yushan led the charge with eight points in the first set alone, and China closed the frame with five straight points from 20-17, capped by Zhuang's well-timed tip. The second set remained close early on, with ties at 8, 10, 12, 14 and 17. China then broke through with two transition attacks and an ace to take a 20-17 lead. Wu Mengjie's powerful spike and a block from Gong Xiangyu extended the advantage, and China sealed the set 25-18. China dominated the third set from the outset. After leading 13-9, the home side pulled away with an overwhelming 11-0 run to reach 24-9. France saved two match points, but a service error handed China the final point at 25-11. "We saw clearly today the gap that still exists between us and the top-tier teams," said French head coach Cesar Hernandez. "Of course I'm disappointed - we always want to win - but this is also about building for the future. We're giving young players a chance and adjusting step by step. Tomorrow's match against Thailand is our final here, and we're ready to give it everything." Earlier in the afternoon, Türkiye outlasted Poland 3-2 (25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-7) to remain unbeaten in Beijing. "I'm very happy because we made some lineup changes, and everyone stepped up. We may not be the strongest team right now, but we have fighting spirit. Today we proved that when we play well, we can compete with anyone," said Türkiye head coach Daniele Santarelli. The match featured relentless attacks, long rallies, and standout performances on both sides. Türkiye's veteran outside hitter Hande Baladin led the way with 22 points, including two crucial ones in the final set. Opposite Aleksia Karutasu added 19 points, while Yaprak Erkek chipped in 15. "It was a tough match against a very strong opponent," said Baladin. "We showed fighting spirit from the first point until the last. I don't usually comment on my own performance, I just try to help the team in any way I can. As a more experienced player, I also try to support the younger ones and help them grow - we're making progress every day." Türkiye took command of the fifth set from the start, with multiple players contributing: Karutasu scored four points, Erkek three, and Baladin helped finish the job, sealing Türkiye's third consecutive victory in Beijing. Poland's Magdalena Stysiak delivered a game-high 23 points, and middle blocker Dominika Pierzchala contributed 15, as the team narrowly missed out on maintaining its unbeaten run. With the result, Türkiye improved to 3-0 in the Beijing leg. Poland dropped to 2-1 but remains in strong contention. Sunday will mark the final day of the Beijing leg, featuring three matches. Belgium will face Poland, while France takes on Thailand in the afternoon session. Host China will close out the event with a highly anticipated clash against Türkiye in the evening. "It will be a very tough match (against Türkiye). Türkiye just beat Poland in five sets, but I believe our players will give 100 percent. We are ready to take on that responsibility," said Zhao.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Gauff beats Sabalenka to triumph in French Open for her 2nd Grand Slam title (updated)
PARIS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Second-seeded Coco Gauff of the United States beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in the women's singles final of the French Open on Saturday to clinch her second Grand Slam title. Three-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka had a great chance to win the first set on her serve after a 5-4 lead, but Gauff forced to a tie-breaker with perseverance. Although Gauff took an upper hand early in the tie-breaker, Sabalenka managed to come back for the first-set victory 7-6 (5). After the 2023 US Open champion Gauff bounced back quickly to win the second set 6-2, the 21-year-old American powered into the final set and sealed the victory 6-4. "I didn't think I could do it. The crowd really helped me today and cheered for me so hard. I don't know what I do to deserve so much love from the French crowd," Gauff said after kissing the trophy. "If I told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying." Sabalenka congratulated Gauff after the match, saying, "Congrats on the second Grand Slam, which is well-deserved. You are a fighter and hard worker." "After such tough two weeks playing great tennis, showing such terrible tennis in the final really hurts. I am sorry for this terrible final," Sabalenka said. "As I always say, I will come back stronger."
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
No Senayan heroics for Wei Chong-Kai Wun this time
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun's heroics at the Istora Senayan were not enough this time. They fell 21-18, 12-21, 21-18 in the Indonesia Open semi-finals to homesters Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza Isfahani, the world No. 8, on Saturday. The world No. 7 Malaysian pair lost narrowly in an hour. Wei Chong-Kai Wun had beaten Sabar-Reza at the same stage at the iconic venue last year. And in January, Wei Chong-Kai Wun hit a high to capture the Indonesia Masters at Istora Senayan. Despite the setback this time, Wei Chong-Kai Wun have really done well this season as they have also won the Malaysia Masters last month, upstaging their illustrious compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. At the sidelines, Sabar-Reza's coach, Hendra Setiawan, got the better of his former mentor Herry IP, who is currently Malaysia's men's doubles chief. Under Herry, Hendra won the 2008 Olympic gold with Markis Kido and secured multiple world titles with Mohammad Ahsan. After the match, Herry hugged and congratulated Hendra as well as Sabar and Reza who had also trained under him. Meanwhile women's doubles world No. 4 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah ensured Malaysia a representative in the final as they will play China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning for the title on Sunday.
