In-form Koreans in Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s way in All-England

PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will need to reproduce their brilliant form in the Indian Open to keep their dream of winning the All-England from March 11-16 in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

In the draw released on Tuesday (March 4), world No. 2 Sze Fei-Izzuddin will likely face in-form South Koreans Seo Seung-Jae-Kim Won-ho as early as the second round in a repeat of the Indian tourney final, which the Malaysians won.

Seung-jae-Won-ho, who captured the Malaysian Open and German Open titles, will be out to avenge their defeat to the independent duo, who have been the only pair to beat them since they combined this year.

Before their potential clash, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will play another Korean pair, veterans Kim Gi-jung-Kim Sa-rang in the first round while Seung-jae-Won-ho need to overcome Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren.

Meanwhile, national No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will open their campaign against Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard while national No. 3 and world No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have a difficult task against China’s world No. 6 He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu.

Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi will also play a Chinese combination Huang Di-Liu Yang while Koreans Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju stand in the way of Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub.

Another Malaysian representative Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will take on England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy for a place in the second round.