Malaysia have two pairs in the Swiss Open finals competing for the men’s and mixed doubles titles after Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai racked up convincing straight-game victories over their opponents.
For Goh-Izzuddin, beating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto would mean their second title in two weeks, with the world number 18 pair already winning the German Open on March 13.
No one would put it past them, especially after the country’s second ranked pair put up a fantastic overall performance to oust Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Erich 21-18, 21-18 in only 36 minutes in the semi-final.
It would have been an all-Malaysian final had second seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik beaten Alfian-Ardianto, but the second seeds were still far from their best in the evidence of the 20-22, 21-13, 8-21 loss.
Either way, a Malaysia-Indonesia men’s doubles final should have fans looking forward to this potential high octane contest in anticipation.
Goh-Lai meanwhile edged an all-Malaysian tie against Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing 21-17, 24-22 for a final clash against Germans Mark Lamsfuss-Isabel Lohau.
This is the pair’s first final in four years since they last won the German and Singapore Open in 2018.
“Final here at the Swiss Open. It was never easy going up against our own team-mate because it meant that one will be ending their streak for our country. Grateful to have made it this far after a tough season with countless obstacles, setbacks & heartbreaks,” said Lai.
The Malaysians would be banking on their stamina and freshness to prevail against the Germans, with Lohau also competing in the women’s doubles final with Linda Efler in the first match-up on Sunday.
Bulgarian sisters Gabriela-Stefani Stoeva set up the meeting with Lohau-Efler after they overcame Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien 21-10, 21-16 in 39 minutes.
