Sze Fei-Izzuddin finally step up to reach men’s doubles semi-finals
PETALING JAYA: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsana have finally stepped up to reach the men’s doubles semi-finals at the Celcom Axiata Malaysian International Challenge in Johor Baru.
They defeated Keiichiro Matsui-Yoshinori Takeuchi of Japan 21-19, 22-24, 21-15 in the quarter-finals at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council Stadium.
The second seeds will take on Masato TakanaoYoshili Tsukamoto of Japan for a place in today’s final.
It is the duo’s first semi-finals since finishing as runners-up at the Malaysian Masters in Sibu in January.
Sze Fei was happy to keep the Malaysian flag flying high.
“This is our home tournament and we were motivated to do well,” said Sze Fei.
“It has been a long time since we did well. We wanted to use the home advantage to achieve good results here. We will go all out tomorrow (today).”
There was double joy for Malaysia in men’s doubles when Shia Chun Kang-Tan Wee Gieen also reached the semi-finals after a sensational 21-18, 21-17 win over Lee Chia-han-Yu Lin-chia of Taiwan in the quarter-finals.
They will take on Sabar Karyaman GutamaFrengky Wijaya Putra of Indonesia next.
There will also be two Malaysian representatives in men’s singles semi-finals after Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Leong Jun Hao cleared their last-eight hurdles.
Iskandar had to dig deep into his reserves to beat teammate Cheam June Wei 13-21, 21-14, 21-10 to set up a last-four clash against veteran Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam.
Youngster Jun Hao continued his gallant run when he ousted Krishna Adi Nugraha of Indonesia 24-22, 21-19.
He faces a challenging task against the experienced Firman Abdul Kholik of Indonesia today.
There was also good news for Malaysia in women’s doubles when Lim Chiew Sien-Yap Zhen stormed into the semi-finals, where they will face Misato Aratama-Akane Watanabe of Japan.