Hangzhou: Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair, Nur Izzuddin and Goh Sze Fei, have etched their names in badminton history by securing a spot in the BWF World Tour Finals 2024 final after a grueling one-hour-and-21-minute battle. The Malaysian duo overcame six match points against the world No. 4 pair from Indonesia, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, in a dramatic semifinal at the Hangzhou Olympic Gymnasium, China.
Highlights of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin vs. Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the semifinal of the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals:
Despite losing the first game 17-21, Goh and Izzuddin staged a remarkable comeback, winning the second game 21-16 and setting the stage for an electrifying decider. The final game saw an epic showdown, with Alfian and Ardianto holding six match points at various intervals (20-19, 21-20, 22-21, 23-22, 24-23, and 25-24), only to be denied by the relentless Malaysians.
At 25-25, Goh and Izzuddin earned their first match point and sealed the victory 27-25 with a perfectly placed drive from Izzuddin that left their opponents unable to respond after an intense rally.
This victory marks their third consecutive win over the Indonesian pair this season.
A Historic Achievement for Malaysian Badminton
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Goh Sze Fei credited the crowd for their unwavering support and emphasized the pair’s focus ahead of the final.
“It was an incredibly tough match, and we thank the fans for their continuous encouragement. We played our usual game and kept trying our best. This has been a phenomenal season, but the journey is not over—we need to focus entirely on tomorrow’s final,” said Goh Sze Fei.
The Malaysian duo will face Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the final. The Danes defeated Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 23-21, 21-13 in the other semifinal.
This achievement makes Goh and Izzuddin the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to reach the BWF World Tour Finals final since its inception in 2018, replacing the BWF Super Series Finals.
A Season of Triumphs
Nur Izzuddin and Goh Sze Fei have enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, clinching three BWF World Tour titles, including the Japan Open, China Open, and Arctic Open. Their consistent performances have earned them USD 258,858 (approximately RM 1.15 million) in prize money from just eight tournaments over the past four months.
The China Open win alone contributed USD 148,000 (approximately RM 658,630), their largest payout to date.
If they emerge victorious in tomorrow’s final, they will add another USD 210,000 (approximately RM 934,700) to their earnings, bringing their total prize money for the year to over RM 2.08 million.
Looking Ahead to the Final
Despite their semifinal triumph, Izzuddin remains focused on the ultimate goal.
“Today’s win is unforgettable, but the battle isn’t over yet. We played without fear, knowing we had nothing to lose. Giving everything on the court was better than playing it safe and falling short,” said Izzuddin.
With the final against the world No. 3 Danish pair looming, Goh and Izzuddin are determined to deliver their best performance and make Malaysian badminton proud.
Key Moments from the Semifinal
Result: Nur Izzuddin-Goh Sze Fei def. Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto 17-21, 21-16, 27-25.
Highlights: Nur Izzuddin-Goh Sze Fei saved six match points and secured their victory on their first match point after an epic rally.
Here are the final match-ups for the BWF World Tour Finals on Sunday:
Women’s Singles (WS) Final
Han Yue (China) vs. Wang Zhi Yi (China)
Mixed Doubles (XD) Final
Zheng Si Wei / Huang Ya Qiong (China) vs. Chen Tang Jie / Toh Ee Wei (Malaysia)
Women’s Doubles (WD) Final
Baek Ha Na / Lee So Hee (South Korea) vs. Nami Matsuyama / Chiharu Shida (Japan)
Men’s Doubles (MD) Final
Kim Astrup / Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Denmark) vs. Nur Izzuddin / Goh Sze Fei (Malaysia)
Men’s Singles (MS) Final
Anders Antonsen (Denmark) vs. Shi Yu Qi (China)
