KUALA LUMPUR — Independent men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani made history today by becoming the first Malaysian doubles duo to win a Super 1000 title, after clinching the China Open crown.
World number 12 Sze Fei and Izzuddin prevented a Chinese clean sweep in Changzhou, defeating He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 13-21, 21-12, 21-17 in the final.
However, Sze Fei and Izzuddin did not celebrate their victory, out of respect for Xiang Yu, who suffered a back injury at the end of the first game.
After receiving medical attention the China player decided to continue with the match, but was not quite as mobile on court.
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Sze Fei said this was not how he would have wanted to win his biggest career title to date.
“This was not how we wanted to win,” he said.
“I wish Xiang Yu a speedy recovery.”
Izzuddin also chose to keep his comments short by saying he hopes to continue playing well with Sze Fei, since they both turned professional early this month.
While Sze Fei and Izzuddin became the first Malaysian pair to win a Super 1000 since the inception of the World Tour era in 2018, they are only the second Malaysian pair to win the China Open crown. Former doubles great Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek and Datuk Razif Sidek won the title way back in 1989.
Last month, Sze Fei and Izzuddin also clinched the Super 750 Japan Open.
Previously, Lee Zii Jia was the only Malaysian shuttler to win a Super 1000 title, having claimed the 2021 All England. — September 22, 2024
