Badminton: Heartbreak for Sze Fei-Izzuddin in Ningbo thriller

Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei (R) and Nur Izzuddin play a point during the men's doubles quarterfinal match against China's Chen Boyang and Liu Yi at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang Province on April 11, 2025. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) / China OUT

PETALING JAYA: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin’s hopes of repeating their Asian Championships heroics ended in heartbreak after a narrow quarter-final defeat to China’s Chen Boyang-Liu Yi on Friday (April 10).

The Malaysian men’s doubles pair, runners-up in the previous edition, gave it their all but could not overcome the determined home duo in front of an energetic crowd at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin had gone into the match with a psychological edge, having beaten the Chinese pair in both their previous encounters at the China Open and US Open last year.

But despite their encouraging head-to-head record and a strong second-game fightback, the professional pair, coached by Teo Kok Siang, fell short 16-21, 21-16, 20-22 in a thrilling 67-minute clash.