'We were outclassed,' Sze Fei-Izzuddin concede after defeat
The Malaysian men's doubles pair were simply outpaced and outclassed by newly-crowned Japan Open champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea, who lived up to their billing as the sport's fastest-rising duo.
Their 21-16, 21-17 defeat in just 38 minutes meant Malaysia finished the Super 750 tournament without a single title.
Earlier in the day, women's doubles world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also fell in straight games to China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning.
It was an especially painful blow for defending champions Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who will now make way for Won Ho-Seung Jae as the new world No. 1 pair when the BWF rankings are updated on Tuesday.
"They were just very fast and too good, although we tried to catch up with their speed," said Sze Fei at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
"We had nothing to prove — we just wanted to play our best and enjoy the game."
Tokyo had been the launchpad for their golden run last year — with titles at the China Open, Arctic Open, and India Open following shortly after — a streak that eventually pushed them to the world No. 1 spot on May 27.
But their reign will end after just eight weeks, with the pair now set to drop to No. 3, behind compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
Izzuddin admitted they were overwhelmed by the blistering pace of the Koreans.
"We tried to match their speed, but they managed to stay ahead," said Izzuddin.
"We just have to be better prepared and focus more on improving our game."
Their coach Teo Kok Siang praised his charges for their run to the final — their first since winning the India Open in January.
"In this tournament, we gave it our all. Credit to the players for their effort and performance," said Kok Siang.
"We'll keep pushing forward and work even harder to achieve better results in the future."
Roles will be reversed in China next week.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will now look to defend their China Open crown, while the new world No. 1 Won Ho-Seung Jae begin their reign at the Super 1000 event in Changzhou on Tuesday.
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