PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani survived a thrilling battle against homesters Keiichiro Matsui-Katsuki Tamate to secure a spot in the last eight of the Japan Masters.
World No. 4 Sze Fei-Izzuddin were pushed to the limit by Matsui-Tamate, who are only ranked No. 143 in the world, before using their experience to prevail 21-23, 21-13, 26-24 in 65 minutes at the Kumamoto Prefectural Gymnasium on Thursday (Nov 13).
The independent duo WOULD next take on Taiwan’s world No. 12 Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan for a place in the semi-finals.
There was further joy for Malaysia when Mohd Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi also made it into the quarter-finals.
World No. 37 Haikal-Hon Jian pulled off an impressive 14-21, 21-17, 21-19 win over Taiwan’s world No. 22 Liu Kuang-heng-Yang Po-han and will face the latter’s teammates Wang Chi-lin-Chiu Hsiang-chieh next.
Roy King-Arif beat home pair Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami 21-11, 21-19 to set up a last eight clash against another Japanese duo Kyohei Yamashita-Hiroki Midorikawa.
Yamashita-Midorikawa prevented an all-Malaysian quarter-final after overcoming Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-17, 10-21, 21-14.
