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New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
It gets from bad to worse for Sze Fei-Izzuddin
THE world came crashing down on men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the past week. After slipping two rungs to world No. 3 in the weekly Badminton World Federation rankings on Tuesday, Sze Fei-Izzuddin were dealt another blow yesterday. They crashed out in the first round of the China Open after a 21-15, 15-21, 17-21 loss to South Korea's world No. 40 Kang Min Hyuk-Ki Dong Ju in 56 minutes at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre. Sze Fei-Izzuddin conceded that their opponents were simply better on the day. The Malaysian duo failed to build on the momentum from their runners-up finish at the Japan Open last week. Despite winning the opening game convincingly, Sze Fei-Izzuddin couldn't stop the Koreans from taking control of the match thereafter. "We tried our best, but our opponents were better than us today," said Sze Fei in a post-match BWF interview. "They controlled the game with the first three shots." Since winning the India Open in January, Sze Fei-Izzuddin have been unable to add to their trophy haul — a slump that saw them relinquish their world No. 1 ranking after just eight weeks at the top. There has been speculation recently that the independent pair were set to rejoin the BA of Malaysia. However, Sze Fei dismissed such claims on Tuesday. Sze Fei-Izzuddin will hope to bounce back at next month's World Championships.s
The Star
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Shock early exit leaves Sze Fei-Izzuddin at a loss for words
PETALING JAYA: Professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were left stunned after their China Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the first round in Changzhou. The defending champions, who were riding high after finishing runners-up at the Japan Open last week, were expected to cruise past South Korea's world No. 40 pair Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju. But the top seeds suffered a shock 21-15, 15-21, 17-21 defeat in a 56-minute encounter. Clearly disappointed, Sze Fei-Izzuddin struggled to find words after the match and offered only a brief response. They credited the Korean pair for their composure and tactical control that thwarted their hopes of advancing. 'I think we already tried our best, but our opponents were better than us today. In terms of the first three shots, they were able to control the game,' said Sze Fei in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie also endured a similar disappointment after going down 21-18, 22-24, 15-21 to Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu yesterday. It has been a disappointing week for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who not only lost their world No. 1 ranking to South Korea's Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, but also slipped to No. 3 in the world behind compatriots Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. To make matters worse, just two days before their opening match in Changzhou, the pair were also caught in speculation that they might return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). However, Sze Fei was quick to deny the rumours. They now have a month to regroup and get themselves ready for the World Championships, which will be held in Paris starting on Aug 23.
![[UPDATED] A horrible week for Sze Fei-Izzuddin](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F23ns38bad_1753237926.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] A horrible week for Sze Fei-Izzuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: The world came crashing down on men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the past week. After slipping two rungs to world No. 3 in the weekly Badminton World Federation rankings yesterday, Sze Fei-Izzuddin Rumsani were dealt another blow today. They crashed out in the first round of the China Open after a 21-15, 15-21, 17-21 loss to South Korea's world No. 40 Kang Min Hyuk-Ki Dong Ju in 56 minutes at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre. Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin conceded that their opponents were simply better on the day. The Malaysian duo failed to build on the momentum from their runners-up finish at the Japan Open last week. Despite winning the opening game convincingly, Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin couldn't stop the Koreans from taking control of the match thereafter. "We tried our best, but our opponents were better than us today," said Sze Fei in a post-match BWF interview. "They controlled the game with the first three shots." Since winning the India Open in January, Sze Fei-Izzuddin have been unable to add to their trophy haul — a slump that saw them relinquish their world No. 1 ranking after just eight weeks at the top. There has been speculation recently that the independent pair are set to rejoin the BA of Malaysia. However, Sze Fei dismissed such claims yesterday. Sze Fei-Izzuddin will hope to bounce back at next month's World Championships.
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sze Fei–Izzuddin lead Tokyo charge
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will return to the Japan Open next week not only as top seeds, but as defending champions tasked with preserving their world No. 1 status in a razor-tight race. The pair's triumph in Tokyo last year was a career-defining breakthrough — their first Super 750 title — and ended Malaysia's 22-year wait in the event since Chan Chong Ming–Chew Choon Eng won in 2002. That victory lit the spark that eventually propelled Sze Fei–Izzuddin to the top of the world rankings recently. Now holding a slim lead over compatriots Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik and South Korea's Kim Won Ho–Seo Seung Jae, their title defence is far from straightforward — especially with the release of the draw on Tuesday. Sze Fei–Izzuddin will open their campaign against Canadians Kevin Lee–Ty Lindeman, before a potential last-16 meeting with Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita. Should they advance, a clash with Indonesia's seventh seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani looms in the quarter-finals, and a possible semi-final against fourth seeds Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark. Aaron–Wooi Yik, currently the most in-form pair on tour with three titles from their last five tournaments — Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open — are seeded second and face a fiery start against fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin–Teo Ee Yi in the opening round. Their projected path includes Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi–Hiroki Okamura in the second round, China's fifth seeds Liang Wei Keng–Wang Chang in the quarters, and Won Ho–Seung Jae, fresh off their Indonesia Open triumph last month, in the last four. Two other Malaysian pairs will meet in the first round, with Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun drawn against younger compatriots Wan Arif Junaidi–Yap Roy King, while veterans Nur Azriyn Ayub–Tan Wee Kiong face French brothers Christo and Toma Junior Popov. In women's doubles, world No. 3 Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah will be aiming for a strong restart after officially committing to a new three-year contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until 2028 — putting to bed speculation of a professional switch after months of delay since their previous contract expired at the end of last year. They begin their campaign against Bulgaria's Stoeva sisters, Stefanie and Gabriela, followed by a potential last-16 tie with Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma–Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi, quarter-finals with South Korea's Kim Hye Jeong–Kong Hee Yong, and a possible blockbuster semi-final against home favourites and nemeses Nami Matsuyama–Chiharu Shida. Two other combinations Go Pei Kee–Teoh Mei Xing and Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting face tough openers against South Korea's fourth seeds Baek Ha Na–Lee So Hee and sixth seeds Rin Iwanaga–Kie Nakanishi of Japan, respectively. Malaysia's mixed doubles will also see four pairs in action, led by fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei, who will take on Kevin Lee–Josephine Wu of Canada. Their route includes a tricky second round against China's Guo Xin Wa–Chen Fang Hui, quarter-finals against Thom Gicquel–Delphine Delrue of France, and a potential semi-final against China's second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang–Wei Ya Xin. Veteran duo Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai Jemie open against Thailand's Ruttanapak Oupthong–Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat, while Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin and Wong Tien Ci–Lim Chiew Sien face Presley Smith-Jennie Gai and Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara from the US and Japan respectively. In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao will be Malaysia's sole representative after Lee Zii Jia pulled out due to injury. The 25-year-old faces a tough first round assignment against eighth seed and defending champion Alex Lanier of France.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rising with the rank
Staying calm at top: National men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are ready to rumble in Japan and China meets. PETALING JAYA: Professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are growing stronger as a pair under the spotlight of being the world No. 1. And that's good news to the players' assistant coach Ameer Amri Zainuddin, who sees it as a promising sign. 'If you look at their last three outings in Malaysia, Indonesia and especially Singapore, they've shown more composure and maturity,' said Ameer. 'One of the positives I've noticed is that the communication between Sze Fei and Izzuddin has also improved since they returned to training after those three tournaments,' he said. Since rising to the top of the world rankings on May 27, they have reached the quarter-finals of three consecutive tournaments – the Malaysian Masters, Singapore Open and Indonesian Open. They became the first Malaysian men's pair to hit No. 1 since Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong did so in 2016 – a feat achieved nine years ago. Sze Fei and Izzuddin currently sit at the top with 91,090 ranking points, but their lead is being closely chased by compatriots and former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (89,870) and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (71,843). Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen are in third with 88,061, while South Korea's Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae, who have already captured five titles this year, are not far behind at No. 4 with 85,805. Ameer knows Sze Fei-Izzuddin face the pressure of retaining the top spot when they compete in the Japan Open from July 15-20 and the China Open from July 22-27 but he is not worried. As the defending champions in both Opens, the duo risk losing valuable ranking points if they lose early. 'Carrying the weight of being world No. 1 can be tough, but at the same time, I'm glad to see strong competition from other national pairs like Aaron-Wooi Yik and (Man) Wei Chong-(Tee) Kai Wun. It's positive,' said Ameer. 'In fact, the depth in the squad helps ease the pressure of being the sole pair expected to deliver titles for the country. 'Sze Fei-Izzuddin are not too fixated on the world rankings. Of course, it's a great achievement to be ranked No. 1, but that's not their main focus right now. 'What matters more to them at this stage is maintaining consistency in every tournament they compete in.'
