Japan Open: Sze Fei-Izzuddin the only pair through to semis

National men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin booked their place at the Japan Open semi-finals after overcoming Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto to become the only Malaysians through to the last four.

Goh-Izzuddin, who have been rumored to leave the national association, have been going great guns in this Super 750 event and reached their second semis of the year after overcoming the Indonesian pair 21-16, 10-21, 21-16.

That 54-minute victory at the Yokohama Arena will pit them against either a Japanese pair or another Indonesian outfit Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana.

Goh-Izzuddin were the only pair through as four other Malaysian pairs suffered defeats.

The other national doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were easily tamed 15-21, 9-21 by South Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae.

In the mixed doubles, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing lost in three games against Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, while Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei’s campaign ended after a straight game 16-21, 18-21 loss against Chinese duo Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin.

Paris Olympic semi-finalists Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah meanwhile lost 21-17, 14-21, 10-21 against silver medalists Tan Ning-Liu Sheng Shu.