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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
UPDATED: Malaysian badminton makes history with men's pairs dominating world's top 2 rankings
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani held their nerve to keep their place at the summit of the world rankings, and in doing so, ensured they remain the leading pair in what is now a historic Malaysian one-two in men's doubles. The world No. 1 duo survived a scare at the Indonesia Open on Thursday, rallying to beat world No. 28 compatriots Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub–Tan Wee Kiong 21-14, 16-21, 21-14 in a tense second-round clash at the Istora Senayan. It was not a match to be taken lightly. The two pairs had met three times previously, with Sze Fei–Izzuddin holding a narrow 2-1 edge, a reminder that their fellow independent and training mates are no pushovers. Had they lost, Sze Fei–Izzuddin would have been overtaken by fellow Malaysians Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, who are projected to move up to No. 2 despite a first-round exit, thanks to the rolling points system and key upsets in the draw. But by advancing to the quarter-finals, Sze Fei–Izzuddin retained enough points to hold onto top spot with the current projected total of 91,090, narrowly ahead of Aaron–Wooi Yik's 89,870. Sze Fei–Izzuddin could now look to extend their lead depending on how far they go in Jakarta. It's still a landmark moment for Malaysian badminton, with two pairs set to be officially ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world when the new rankings are updated next Tuesday, a feat never before achieved in the country's storied history in men's doubles. The last time Malaysia had two pairs in the top three came in 2006, when Koo Kien Keat–Chan Chong Ming were ranked No. 2 and Choong Tan Fook–Lee Wan Wah sat at No. 3. But never have two Malaysian pairs simultaneously occupied the top two spots, until now. Aaron–Wooi Yik, the 2022 world champions, gained ground after Denmark's Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were ousted in the second round by Japan's Takuro Hoki–Yugo Kobayashi. The Danes lost 29-27, 21-11 in a match they needed to win to defend their semi-final points from last year, and are expected to fall to 87,520 and drop to third in the rankings. It was a pressure-filled outing for Sze Fei–Izzuddin, who had quarter-final points to defend from last year and needed the win to avoid being dethroned just two weeks after becoming Malaysia's first new men's pair to reach No. 1 since Goh V Shem–Tan Wee Kiong in 2016. Next up, Sze Fei–Izzuddin will face Indonesia's world No. 8 pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in the quarter-finals. The two pairs have met only twice previously, with their last encounter, at the China Masters in November last year, going down to the wire before the Indonesians edged a thrilling 18-21, 21-18, 23-21 win.
![Soon Huat-Shevon stay upbeat despite early Malaysia Masters exit [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fttou21_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1747813746.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Soon Huat-Shevon stay upbeat despite early Malaysia Masters exit [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: It was not the title defence they had hoped for, but world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are refusing to dwell on the disappointment. Soon Huat-Shevon, who came into the Malaysia Masters as defending champions, suffered a shock first-round exit after going down 21-18, 21-19 to Denmark's Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch at the Axiata Arena on Wednesday. While clearly gutted to crash out early in front of the home crowd, Shevon insisted there were still positives to take away, especially with the pair in the midst of tweaking their style of play. "Our performance hasn't been consistent, and that's quite disappointing for me," said Shevon. "But we're trying new things, exploring different angles and building our rhythm again. That takes time, and this is just the beginning. "We really tried, and though it didn't work out this time, I believe what we're working on will pay off in tournaments to come. We're trying to transform ourselves into a more versatile pair." It was their first opening round exit on World Tour in six months since the China Masters in November last year, and Shevon admitted the loss was especially tough considering their status as reigning champions. "There were high hopes, for sure. We wanted to put on a good show," she said. "But circumstances didn't quite allow that, Soon Huat picked up an injury two weeks ago, and we've been focused on getting him back to full speed. "I saw some good signs this week, his movement's improving, and he's even starting to try some new things in his game. That gives me a lot of hope." Soon Huat, who had been managing a leg injury in the lead-up to the tournament, echoed the sentiment, noting that his recovery is on track and that the pair are focused on long-term progress. "This week, I was starting to move more normally again, I could jump, I had some explosiveness," said Soon Huat. "In mixed doubles, especially for men, that side-to-side power is critical. Without it, we lose our rhythm. "Even in the match, we kept trying right until the end. That's the kind of spirit we'll carry forward." The pair are well aware of the need to evolve to maintain their standing amid stiff competition. "To stay in the top three, fitness alone isn't enough," said Soon Huat. "We need variety in our game. Everyone studies each other now, so we have to keep adding new elements, new patterns." In other mixed doubles results, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien kept the Malaysian flag flying with a hard-fought 22-20, 21-19 win over Supak Jomkoh-Ornicha Jongsathapornparn of Thailand, while Too Ming Yap-Lee Yu Shan fell 21-9, 21-13 to Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Nattamon Laisuan.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia falls early in women's singles at home tournament
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's representation in the women's singles competition at the Malaysia Masters came to an early conclusion on Wednesday with both local players failing to advance past the first round. World No. 44 Goh Jin Wei faced a challenging opponent in sixth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon, a former two-time champion of the tournament. Jin Wei struggled throughout the match, ultimately losing 21-7, 21-15 in a brief 39-minute encounter. This defeat continues a difficult period for the 25-year-old Malaysian, who hasn't been able to progress beyond the second round in any World Tour event since her unexpected semifinal appearance at the Hong Kong Open in September 2023. In another first-round match, Malaysia's K. Letshanaa, ranked 51st in the world, showed promising moments against China's world No. 48 player. Despite taking the second game, Letshanaa eventually succumbed 10-21, 21-19, 21-12. The disappointing day for Malaysian badminton continued in the mixed doubles category, where Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai suffered their earliest World Tour elimination in six months. The world No. 3 pair and defending champions were upset by Denmark's Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch, losing 21-18, 21-19 at Axiata Arena. This marks the first time since the China Masters in November last year that the Malaysian duo has been eliminated in the opening round of a tournament.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Early exits for Jin Wei, Letshanaa, Soon Huat-Shevon at Malaysia Masters
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's representation in the women's singles competition at the Malaysia Masters came to an early conclusion on Wednesday with both local players failing to advance past the first round. World No. 44 Goh Jin Wei faced a challenging opponent in sixth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon, a former two-time champion of the tournament. Jin Wei struggled throughout the match, ultimately losing 21-7, 21-15 in a brief 39-minute encounter. This defeat continues a difficult period for the 25-year-old Malaysian, who hasn't been able to progress beyond the second round in any World Tour event since her unexpected semifinal appearance at the Hong Kong Open in September 2023. In another first-round match, Malaysia's K. Letshanaa, ranked 51st in the world, showed promising moments against China's world No. 48 player. Despite taking the second game, Letshanaa eventually succumbed 10-21, 21-19, 21-12. The disappointing day for Malaysian badminton continued in the mixed doubles category, where Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai suffered their earliest World Tour elimination in six months. The world No. 3 pair and defending champions were upset by Denmark's Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch, losing 21-18, 21-19 at Axiata Arena. This marks the first time since the China Masters in November last year that the Malaysian duo has been eliminated in the opening round of a tournament.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
World No. 3 Soon Huat-Shevon knocked out in Malaysia Masters first round
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai suffered their worst World Tour outing in six months when they crashed out in the first round of the Malaysia Masters. The world No. 3 and defending champions, lost to Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch of Denmark 21-18, 21-19 at Axiata Arena on Wednesday. It was their first opening round exit since the China Masters in November last year.
