Men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in action during training session at Badminton Association of Malaysia, Bukit Kiara. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Men doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani continued their solid show to reach the Japan Open final on Aug 24 (Saturday) in Yokohama.
The world No. 12 Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who received the blessing from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to turn independent from Sept 1 onwards, beat Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana of Indonesia 21-19, 21-17 in 42 minutes.
They had on Friday, upstaged another Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto in the semi-finals.
The Malaysians face world champions and third seeds Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in the title match on Sunday.
They have a good chance to win one of the biggest Open titles in their career if they keep up their fiery performance.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin have a 2-2 record against the Koreans, having dumped the world champions at the Asian Badminton Championships this year.
In the men's singles, Alex Lanier of France, continued his smashing run in the tournament when he knocked out world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China 17-21, 21-16, 21-18 to reach the final.
Lanier, who had knocked out Lee Zii Jia in the first round, will face Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan in the title match. Tien-chen had beaten local star Kodai Naraoka 21-14, 21-16.
