Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin completed their amazing reunion comeback by winning the US Open men’s doubles title with a dominant 21-9, 21-10 victory, ending Malaysia's 31-year wait for the title at the same time.
Even though the 2022 German Open winners had not played competitively together since January, hopes were high that Goh-Izzuddin could relive some of the magic that had made them a world top 10 pair and a force to be reckoned with.
They proved that at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, weaving their attacking magic all over Chinese Taipei twins Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen.
They opened up a massive 16-4 lead in the opening game that paved the way for the lead, with Izzuddin firing from the back court and Goh always alert to cut out any openings at the front.
The second game started out tight, but the Malaysians started to pull away when they were allowed the opportunity to produce those big smashes to devastating effect.
An 11-6 lead at the interval was sufficient for the Goh-Izzuddin to continue firing away to open up a bigger cushion and comfortably cross the finish line as champions.
Their victory also ended the country’s wait for a men’s doubles title in this competition since 1992, when Cheah Soon Kit-Soo Beng Kiang last won it.
Their win was also Malaysia’s fourth triumph on the World Tour this year, following up victories from Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (Orleans Masters & Taipei Open) and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (Taipei Open).
The world number 53 pair will have little time to celebrate, as they are scheduled for a long-haul flight to Yeosu, South Korea, to compete at the Korea Open, taking on Chinese pair Ren Xiang Yu-Tan Qiang in the opening round.
