Sze Fei-Izzuddin can’t afford to freeze at Arctic Open

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (pic) will need to stay consistent in their performances if they harbour hopes of qualifying for the men’s doubles competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

They did not get the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points in the Asian Games in Hangzhou but made headway earlier when they captured the World Tour Super 100 Kaohsiung Masters title in Taiwan at the beginning of the month.

The pair, currently ranked No. 26 in the world, have a tougher challenge in the ongoing Arctic Open.

Yesterday, they got off to a good start by defeating Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar of France 21-18, 21-8 to move into the second round at the Energia Arena in Vantaa.

National coaching director Rexy Mainaky was pleased with their victory.

“It’s a good win and a good start for Sze Fei-Izzuddin,” said Rexy.

“In the first game, they were a bit unsure of their game plan but managed to find their rhythm in the second game.”

Sze Fei-Izzuddin need to be on their toes in the second round as their possible opponents are likely to be Denmark’s World Championships silver medallists and Hong Kong Open champions Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, both Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong marched into the second round after identical 21-15, 21-16 wins over Denmark’s Mads Christophersen and Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen respectively.

World No. 14 Zii Jia faces a tricky challenge against Indonesia’s world No. 22 Chico Aura next while Tze Yong could play either China’s Zhao Junpeng or Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen.

It was the end of the road though for world No. 61 K. Letshanaa in the women’s singles when she went down fighting to Thailand’s world No. 42 Lalinrat Chaiwan 18-21, 21-19, 17-21 in the second qualifying round.

(Malaysians unless stated)

First qualifying round

Women’s singles: K. Letshanaa bt Jenjira Stadelmann (Swi) 21-13, 21-11.

Second qualifying round

Women’s singles: Lalinrat Chaiwan (Tha) bt K. Letshanaa 18-21, 21-19, 17-21.

First round

Men’s singles: Lee Zii Jia bt Mads Christophersen (Den) 21-15, 21-16; Ng Tze Yong bt Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-15, 21-16.

Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani bt Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar 21-18, 21-8.

Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei bt Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith (Eng) 21-14, 21-17; Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing bt Gregory Mairs-Jenny Mairs (Eng) 21-9, 21-17; Reginald Lee-Ng Tsz Yau (Hkg) bt Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie 21-8, 21-19.