Haikal-Izzuddin go down fighting in China Masters final

Malaysia's GOH Sze Fei-Nur IZZUDDIN in action against Indonesia's Fajar ALFIAN-Muhammad Rian ARDIANTO during the Malaysian Masters 2022 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, July 5, 2022. - GLENN GUAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Haikal Nazri-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani blew a good chance to win their maiden World Tour outing at the China Masters.

The national men’s doubles pair, who were only permanently paired together last month, went down fighting 16-21, 21-19, 16-21 to home pair Chen Boyang-Liu Yi in the final in Ruichang yesterday.

Haikal-Izzuddin were the best performers for Malaysia after all others lost out in the last four.

They will now compete in the Vietnam International Challenge starting tomorrow in Hanoi.

Meanwhile, rising men’s singles player Justin Hoh is eyeing another encouraging outing in Hanoi after reaching the last four in Ruichang in what was his first World Tour event.

Justin had lost out 12-21, 17-21 to homester Sun Feixiang in the semi-finals.

“Feixiang is a very experienced player and overall, he played better than me,” said Justin.

“I lost but it was a good opportunity to learn from him.

“I had also managed to hit my target of reaching the last four in my biggest tournament so far.

‘‘I want to keep improving to compete in higher-tier events,” added Justin, who is eyeing to go beyond the quarters in Vietnam.

FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Sun Feixiang (Chn) bt Sun Chao (Chn) 21-15, 21-14.

Men’s doubles: Chen Boyang-Liu Yi (Chn) bt Mohd Haikal Nazri-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (Mas) 21-16, 19-21, 21-16.

Women’s singles: Lin Hsiang-ti (Tpe) bt Chen Lu (Chn) 13-21, 21-11, 22-20.

Women’s doubles: Chen Xiaofei-Feng Xueying (Chn) bt Keng Shuliang-Zhang Chi (Chn) 21-15, 21-19.

Mixed doubles: Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin (Chn) bt Cheng Xing-Chen Fanghui (Chn) 21-15, 21-8.