PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will be out to avenge their World Championships exit when they meet Yang Po-hsuan-Lee Jhe-huei in the second round of the China Masters tomorrow.
However, before they can avenge their defeat, Sze Fei-Izzuddin must make full use of the one-day break to sharpen their strategies against the world No. 13 Taiwanese pair.
Although they cleared the first-round hurdle by edging Indonesia’s experimental duo Rian Ardianto-Yeremia Rambitan 12-21, 21-11, 22-20 yesterday, the Malaysian pair still looked far from their best.
It was evident in that match that Sze Fei-Izzuddin are still struggling to rediscover their previous quality, with some shaky moments in the decider.
Despite being just one point away from sealing victory, they allowed their opponents to claw back.
The former world No. 1 duo cannot afford such mistakes against Po-hsuan-Jhe-huei, who are brimming with confidence after beating Thailand’s Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh 21-8, 21-18 in the first round.
Apart from Sze Fei-Izzuddin, another Malaysian pair set to face a Taiwanese challenge are husband-and-wife duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
The mixed doubles pair, who are striving to maintain their world ranking inside the top 10, are expected to have little trouble overcoming Ye Hong-wei-Nicole Gonzales Chan.
As part of the national elite sports programme, Road to Gold (RTG), the world No. 8 duo need to stay within the top 10 until the end of the year to avoid the risk of being dropped from the programme.
Soon Huat-Shevon began their China Masters campaign in convincing fashion with a 21-17, 21-12 victory over compatriots Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien.
It was, however, the end of the road for another Malaysian men’s doubles pair as Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Azriyn Ayub bowed out after losing 12-21, 21-18, 12-21 to Taiwan’s Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen.
