Sze Fei-Izzuddin survive early scare in Indonesia Open
World No 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani took an hour to see off their Taiwanese rivals in the opening round of the Indonesia Open. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : World No 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani overcame an early scare to defeat Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen in the opening round of the Indonesia Open.
The 19th ranked Taiwanese twins had shocked the top seeds by taking the first game, before the Malaysians made a comeback to win 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 at the Istora Stadium in Jakarta tonight.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin had to labour for an hour before they sealed the match and booked their berth in the last 16.
The Malaysians have faced setback after setback this year, failing to get past the quarter-final stage in various tournaments, including two first-round exits.
The duo won three World Tour titles in 2023 and another three in 2024, but have not won a single one this year.
Today's tie was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's seventh time facing the Taiwanese pair, with the Malaysians winning six of the encounters.
In the last 16, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will take on their world No 22 compatriots Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, who staged an upset by beating the No 14 ranked Chinese duo of Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han 21-17, 21-12.
Fellow men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also progressed to the last 16 after making light work of American duo Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith, winning 21-6, 21-11 in just 21 minutes.
The Malaysians will meet compatriots Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King, who received a walkover from French pair Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi.
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