Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin are one win away from marking their reunion with silverware after the Malaysia men’s doubles pair turned in a dominant display to book a place in the US Open final.
Goh-Izzuddin needed only 35 minutes to dispose of Chinese duo Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi 21-14, 21-17, a comfortable victory that was perhaps not even expected by the Malaysians judging by their opponents' quality.
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Chen-Liu had come into this Super 300 event having recently won back-to-back titles at the China and Orleans Masters, and were expected to test the resolve of the third seeds in every way possible.
But Goh-Izzuddin wasted no time in taking the game to their opponents in aggressive fashion, giving no time to the out-of-sorts Chinese to take the 21-14 lead.
Chen-Liu were more resistant in the second game, but the Malaysians’ relentless smashing proved too lethal as they stepped into the final in an almost empty arena at the Council Bluffs.
Goh-Izzuddin should fancy their chances against Chinese Taipei pair Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen in the final.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky had earlier expressed optimism the world number 53 pair could go all the way to win this tournament despite not playing together for almost six months.
Should Goh-Izzuddin win, it would be their first title success in 14 months since they last won the 2022 German Open.
Sze Fei/Izzuddin are in the #USOpen2023 finals! ?
— Stadium Astro ?? (@stadiumastro) July 16, 2023
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