Herry backs Sze Fei-Izzuddin to earn Malaysia a victory

KUALA LUMPUR: They may be from different set-ups, but national men’s doubles head coach Herry IP has heaped praise on independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani’s performances and backed the pair to win the Malaysia Masters title later on Sunday.

World No. 9 Sze Fei-Izzuddin outplayed the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik 21-18, 21-12 in the semi-finals.

Herry is hopeful of seeing Malaysian success when the in-form duo take on Denmark’s world No. 18 Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard at the Unifi Arena later today.

Lundgaard-Vestergaard overcame another BAM pair, world No. 16 Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, on Saturday to secure their spot in the final.

“There is still hope – even if it’s not from BAM, because they are still representing Malaysia. I am optimistic Sze Fei-Izzuddin can become champions of the Malaysia Masters,” said Herry.

“From what I’ve seen, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are playing with nothing to lose. They looked more relaxed and were enjoying themselves more, and that was obvious on court.

“I have to admit Sze Fei-Din played beautifully and very well against Aaron-Wooi Yik. I believe they have a good chance in the final.”

The assessment coming from ‘The Magician’ himself will serve as motivation for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who have strung together two solid weeks after reaching the semi-finals of the Thailand Open last week, where they lost narrowly to India’s world No. 4 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty.

Malaysia have also generally done well at the Malaysia Masters, where the country is aiming for a sixth men’s doubles crown since the tournament’s inception in 2009, with Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun upsetting Aaron-Wooi Yik in an all-Malaysia final last year.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin are also the only Malaysian men’s doubles pair to win a World Tour title this year after capturing the Super 500 Indonesia Masters in January, and they will be motivated to add a second title on home soil.

They also lead 3-2 in the head-to-head record and beat the Danes in their last meeting — in the Indonesia Masters semi-finals — which should allow them to approach the final with confidence.

“Our target is to win the title,” stressed Izzuddin repeatedly in every post-match interview this week.

Backed by adoring Malaysian fans, Sze Fei-Izzuddin look set to fulfil their title dreams on Sunday.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times