Sze Fei-Izzuddin begin Japan Open title defence with routine win
The top-seeded Malaysians hardly broke a sweat as they dismissed Canada's Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander Lindeman 21-13, 21-15 in their opening-round clash at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who clinched the Super 750 crown last year for the biggest win of their career, must go all the way again to retain their world No. 1 status, with compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 2) and Korea's Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae (No. 3) breathing down their necks.
Anything less than the title could see the pressure mount, especially with crucial ranking points from last year's triumph on the line.
They will next face either Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita or Taiwan's Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin in the second round.
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