Sze Fei-Izzuddin still hanging on to Japan Open crown
Sze Fei-Izzuddin showed their battling qualities against Indonesian scratch pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri, digging deep for a 21-13, 17-21, 22-20 win at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium today.
Their efforts also confirmed Malaysia four pairs in the semi-final stage tomorrow. They are men's doubles Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin were under tremendous pressure as they faced formidable opponents today. Fajar is currently ranked world No. 5 with long-time partner Rian Ardianto while Shohibul's partner Daniel Marthin has been out for a few months after knee surgery.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be on a "revenge" mission against Liu Kuang Heng-Yang Po Han in the last four after the Taiwanese world No. 24 outplayed Malaysia's Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong 18-21, 25-23, 21-17 in the last eight.
Meanwhile Yew Sin-Ee Yi will be getting additional support from the Japanese fans when they take on world No. 3 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea (who will become the new No. 1 next week) in the last four due to the Aya Ohori factor.
Former Japanese world No. 7 Ohori has been the calming presence and inspiration behind her husband Yew Sin this week, and a Malaysian upset over the fancied Koreans cannot be ruled out.
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