PETALING JAYA: Goh Sze Fei-Choong Hon Jian got their new partnership off to a perfect start after storming into the men’s doubles final of the Thailand International Challenge.
The duo showed signs of promise after toppling Indonesia’s world No. 50 Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza 21-15, 21-16 in the semi-finals in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Sze Fei had only combined with Hon Jian last month after splitting with previous partner Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, following a string of disappointing results.
Sze Fei-Hon Jian have now managed to exceed the target set by doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky for them to reach the semi-finals.
“It’s their first tournament with new partners and they made it into the final,” said Rexy.
“This is good for them.”
Men’s doubles head coach Tan Bin Shen, who had followed Sze Fei-Hon Jian to Thailand instead of Rexy added: “They performed well today (yesterday).
“Overall, their performances have been good too.
“I think their combination play and understanding on court is getting better now.”
In the final today, Sze Fei-Hon Jian will face either top seeds and homesters Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn-Nanthakarn Yordphaisong or unseeded Indonesians Alfian Eko-Ade Yusuf.
“I want them to just give their all in the final,” said Bin Shen.
Sze Fei, Hon Jian are the only Malaysian representatives left in the competition after all others fell in the last eight.
Hon Jian, who had also played in the mixed doubles with Go Pei Kee lost 11-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina in the second round.
Men’s singles: Chi Yu-jen (Tpe) bt Riku Hartano (Jpn) 21-13, 21-11; Minoru Koga (Jpn) bt Takuma Obayashi (Jpn) 21-19, 22-20.
Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Choong Hon Jian (Mas) bt Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza (Ina) 21-15, 21-16.
Women’s singles: Asuka Takahashi (Jpn) bt Pornpicha Choeikeewong (Tha) 21-16, 21-17.
Women’s doubles: Liu Chiao-yun-Wang Yu-qiao (Tpe) bt Lin Chih-chun-Chen Wu-meng (Tpe) 21-12, 21-19; Lui Lok Lok-Ng Wing-yung (Hkg) bt Jesita Putri-Febi Setianingrum (Ina) 21-23, 21-16, 21-16.
Mixed doubles: Adnan Maulana-Nita Violina (Ina) bt Lu Ming-che-Chung Kan-yu (Tpe) 21-16, 21-17; Ruttanapak Oupthong-Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat (Tha) bt Lee Chia-han-Liu Zi-xi (Tpe) 21-16, 19-21, 21-14.
