Malaysia’s professional men’s doubles duo, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Sze Fei, began their quest for a fourth World Tour title of the season with a commanding victory in the first round of the Kumamoto Masters 2024 in Japan.
The world number eight pair displayed their dominance, defeating Taiwan’s Lin Bing Wei and Su Shing Heng in straight sets, 21-12, 21-17, in just 32 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium.
Having already clinched three titles this year at the Japan Open, China Open, and Arctic Open in Finland, Izzuddin and Sze Fei are in stellar form since parting ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in September.
The pair now faces fellow Malaysian professionals Nur Azriyn Ayub and Tan Wee Kiong in the second round, setting up an all-Malaysian clash for a spot in the quarter-finals. Azriyn and Wee Kiong advanced after defeating Taiwan’s Chang Ko Chi and Chen Xin Yuan 21-9, 21-18 in their opening match.
Malaysia’s other men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, also secured their second-round berth after a hard-fought three-set win over France’s Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov, finishing 21-18, 23-21, 21-19.
Their next challenge is a tough encounter against Indonesia’s formidable duo, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, in what promises to be an electrifying match.
In the women’s doubles, Malaysia’s top pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah faced a tough opening-round defeat. The duo fought valiantly against Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto, pushing the match to three sets before narrowly losing 9-21, 21-14, 21-23 in a thriller.
Unfortunately, it was an early exit for two other Malaysian men’s doubles teams:
Muhammad Haikal Nazri and Choong Hon Jian fell to Taiwan’s Lui Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han 15-21, 17-21.
Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King were outclassed by Japan’s Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, losing 14-21, 15-21.
Credit Photo : VICTOR Malaysia
