Changzhou: Malaysia enjoyed a productive day at the China Open as Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani advanced in men’s doubles, while Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and the new combination of Chen Tang Jie-Clarissa San progressed in mixed doubles.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin were pushed to three games by Chinese Taipei’s Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh before completing a 15-21, 21-15, 21-16 comeback.
Later in the day, Tang Jie and Clarissa recorded their first victory as a partnership by defeating Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen 21-17, 21-19.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Survive Three-Game Battle
Fresh from reaching the Japan Open semifinals last week, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani continued their strong run by advancing to the China Open round of 16.
The Malaysian men’s doubles pair needed 51 minutes to overcome Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 21-15, 21-16.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin began the opening game brightly and moved ahead 9-4. However, the Taiwanese pair responded with six consecutive points to take a 10-9 lead.
Chen and Lin continued to apply pressure, opening a 17-11 advantage before closing out the first game 21-15.
The Malaysians found themselves behind again in the second game, trailing 8-11. This time, they responded with five straight points to move ahead 13-11.
With the score tied at 14-14, Sze Fei and Izzuddin produced another decisive run, winning six consecutive rallies before taking the game 21-15.
The Malaysian pair carried that momentum into the decider. Leading 6-5, they scored five unanswered points and remained in front for the rest of the match, completing the comeback 21-16.
- Category: Men’s doubles
- Result: Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani of Malaysia defeated Chen Zhi Ray/Lin Yu Chieh of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 21-15, 21-16
- Match duration: 51 minutes
- Next opponents: Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard of Denmark
Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard Await in Second Round
Sze Fei and Izzuddin will next face Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Danish pair advanced after a demanding three-game victory over China’s Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi.
Lundgaard and Vestergaard won 21-18, 20-22, 21-16 after 56 minutes, setting up another potentially difficult match for the Malaysians.
- Result: Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard of Denmark defeated Hu Ke Yuan/Lin Xiang Yi of China 21-18, 20-22, 21-16
- Next match: Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani vs. Daniel Lundgaard/Mads Vestergaard
Chen Tang Jie-Clarissa San Claim First Victory Together
Malaysia’s new mixed doubles combination of Chen Tang Jie and Clarissa San achieved an important milestone by securing their first victory as a partnership.
Tang Jie and Clarissa defeated Germany’s Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen 21-17, 21-19 in their opening-round match.
The Malaysians played with greater control during the closing stages of both games and showed improved understanding compared with their partnership debut at the Japan Open, where they were eliminated in the first round.
The result gives the new pair valuable match experience as they continue developing their rotation, communication and tactical balance.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Chen Tang Jie/Clarissa San of Malaysia defeated Marvin Seidel/Thuc Phuong Nguyen of Germany 21-17, 21-19
- Achievement: First victory for Tang Jie-Clarissa as a partnership
- Next opponents: Second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin of China
Chinese Second Seeds Next for Tang Jie-Clarissa
A much tougher test awaits Tang Jie and Clarissa in the second round, where they will face China’s second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.
Jiang and Wei were pushed to three games in their opening match against United States pair Presley Smith and Jennie Gai.
The Chinese pair recovered from losing the first game to win 18-21, 21-19, 21-19.
- Result: Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin (2) of China defeated Presley Smith/Jennie Gai of the United States 18-21, 21-19, 21-19
- Next match: Chen Tang Jie/Clarissa San vs. Jiang Zhen Bang/Wei Ya Xin
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Advance in Three Games
Malaysia’s husband-and-wife mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie also reached the China Open round of 16.
The world No. 12 Malaysians defeated Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Misaki Matsutomo 21-15, 16-21, 21-19 in 49 minutes.
It was the first international meeting between the two pairs.
Soon Huat and Shevon took the opening game before the Japanese combination responded to force a decider. The third game remained close, but the Malaysians stayed composed during the final rallies to secure the victory.
- Category: Mixed doubles
- Result: Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie of Malaysia defeated Hiroki Midorikawa/Misaki Matsutomo of Japan 21-15, 16-21, 21-19
- Match duration: 49 minutes
- World ranking: Soon Huat-Shevon are ranked No. 12
- Next opponents: Fifth seeds Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui of China
Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui Await Soon Huat-Shevon
Soon Huat and Shevon will next challenge China’s fifth seeds Guo Xin Wa and Chen Fang Hui for a quarterfinal place.
The Chinese pair reached the second round after defeating India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto 21-18, 21-18.
- Result: Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui (5) of China defeated Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto of India 21-18, 21-18
- Next match: Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie vs. Guo Xin Wa/Chen Fang Hui
Three Malaysian Pairs Keep China Open Hopes Alive
The victories by Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Soon Huat-Shevon and Tang Jie-Clarissa provided encouraging badminton news for Malaysia at the Super 1000 tournament.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin showed resilience after losing the opening game, while Soon Huat and Shevon survived a tight deciding game against experienced Japanese opposition.
Tang Jie and Clarissa’s result was especially significant because it marked their first win since being brought together as a new mixed doubles partnership.
The next round will bring more difficult challenges. Tang Jie and Clarissa must face China’s second seeds, Soon Huat and Shevon meet the fifth seeds, and Sze Fei and Izzuddin take on a Danish pair that has already survived a long three-game contest.
All three Malaysian combinations will now attempt to carry their opening-round momentum into the China Open quarterfinals.
