KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani produced a stirring comeback to headline a superb day for Malaysian men’s doubles at the French Open, with all three pairs advancing to the last 16.
World No. 4 Sze Fei-Izzuddin showed grit and belief to beat Japan’s in-form world No. 10 Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi 15-21, 21-19, 21-11 in 52 minutes.
It was their second straight victory over the Japanese pair this year, following their triumph at the Asia Championships in April.
Hoki-Kobayashi had arrived in France fresh from capturing the Denmark Open title on Sunday.
The result also squared their head-to-head at 3-3.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will next meet Taiwan’s world No. 13 Lee Jhe Huei-Yang Po Hsuan for a quarter-final berth.
The Malaysians hold a slight edge, having won four of their six previous encounters.
Malaysia are also guaranteed a place in the last eight with world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and veterans Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi facing off in the bottom half of the draw.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, eager to rebound from their opening-round exit at last week’s Denmark Open, came through a hard-fought 21-15, 26-24 victory over Indonesia’s world No. 15 Bagas Maulana-Leo Rolly Carnando.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, meanwhile, eased past India’s world No. 39 K. Sai Prateek-K. Roy Pruthvi 21-18, 21-13.
Although Aaron-Wooi Yik boast a 6-3 head-to-head advantage, they will approach Thursday’s clash with caution, mindful of the unpredictable nature of compatriot battles.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi had stunned their higher-ranked compatriots in the first round of the Japan Open in July, proving that familiarity can swing either way.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
