Proud winners: Goh Sze Fei (R) and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani pose after winning the Indian Open. - AFP
PETALING JAYA: Men's doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are on track to emulate their idols Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia by becoming No. 1 in the world in near future.
World No. 2 Sze Fei-Izzuddin captured the Indian Open title after a superb 21-15, 13-21, 21-16 victory over Malaysian Open champions Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho of South Korea at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Sunday (Jan 19)
Despite the sensational win, the independent pair cannot yet overtake Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, who are the current world No. 1 but they are on the right path to become the world's top pair.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin named Ahsan-Setiawan as their idols and hoped to follow in the legendary Indonesian pair's footsteps.
"Our idols are Ahsan and Hendra and we observe them a lot and try to play like them," said Izzuddin.
"Their performances have been amazing and we hope that we can meet them again one day."
But the meeting is not likely to happen on court because the Indonesian Masters next week will be Ahsan-Hendra's last tournament before their retirement, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin are not making the trip to Jakarta.
Ahsan-Hendra became world No. 1 in 2013 after winning several titles including the World Championships.
The pair also captured the world title in 2015 and 2019, All-England crown in 2014 and 2019 and gold in the Asian Games in 2014. Ahsan, 37 and Hendra, 40 will be out to win their home title as a perfect gift for their fans in the Indonesian Masters starting on Tuesday (Jan 20).
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who added the Indian Open to their China Open, Japan Open and Arctic Open titles since last August, have proven that they have what it takes to go on and claim the All-England and world titles this year just like their idols.
Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's best position in the world is No. 2 while the last Malaysian pair to helm the top spot were Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem in 2016 after winning silver at the Olympic Games in Brazil.
