PETALING JAYA: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani may have the credentials to challenge for a medal at the World Championships in New Delhi, but the men’s doubles pair would rather go about their campaign as underdogs.
The former world No. 1 pair finally broke their third round barrier yesterday after beating Taiwan’s Chou Hsiang-chieh-Wang Chi-lin 21-17, 21-17 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
It was a long-awaited breakthrough for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who had fallen at the same stage in each of their previous three appearances at the world meet.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will face world No. 1 and defending champions Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in the last 16.
Sze Fei believes a more relaxed approach has made the difference this time, with the pair choosing to enjoy their matches instead of putting unnecessary pressure on themselves.
“I think we are happy with our performance but there is still room to improve and things we can do better in the next match.
“We’ll just continue to play like underdogs. Nothing to lose and enjoy the game,” said Sze Fei in a post-match interview with the BWF.
The win was made even sweeter as it also avenged their defeat to Hsiang-chieh-Chi-lin at the German Open in February. Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s previous World Championships campaigns had all ended in disappointment.
They lost to Taiwan’s Lee Yang-Wang Chi-lin on their debut in Huelva in 2021 before going down to compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in Tokyo the following year.
Aaron-Wooi Yik went on to make history by becoming Malaysia’s first world champions.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin missed the 2023 edition after briefly going their separate ways before reuniting, but their return in Paris last year again ended in the third round after a defeat to Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan.
This time, they have arrived in New Delhi with a fresh approach under former world No. 4 men’s doubles shuttler Fairuzizuan Tazari. Their task, however, will only get tougher from here.
Meanwhile, the challenge has ended for Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie after they lost 15-21, 12-21 to Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi of China in the mixed doubles third round.
