KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's men's pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were too cautious in the first set against China's Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi in the first round of the China Open today.
It didn't work for the world No. 12 professional pair, and they decided to change tactics against the Chinese world No. 21. It paid off with a 17-21, 21-12, 21-19 win for Sze Fei-Izzuddin in 53 minutes at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou.
Izzuddin said they felt a lot of pressure at the start of the match, but was glad that they still managed to win.
"This was not out best performance, we felt a lot of pressure at the start as it was our first match. But we are glad we came back in the second and third sets to win," Izzuddin told BWF in a post-match interview.
Sze Fei said their cautious approach in the first game didn't work and they had to switch things up later.
"We were too careful in the first game and made too many simple mistakes.
"After that, we just tried to bring out our game play, match our opponents' speed, and got on the attack more."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will next play the winners of the match between compatriots Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and the United States' Chen Zhi Yi-Pressley Smith.
Also advancing to the second round were national pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun who defeated China's Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han 21-19, 21-17.
However, independent pair Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong were sent packing by English duo Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, 18-21, 21-19, 21-15.
Women's singles player Goh Jin Wei was also sent home early by Sung Shuo Yun of Taiwan, 21-9, 12-21, 21-8.
In the battle of married couples, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai defeated Singapore's Terry Hee-Jessica Tan 21-13, 21-15.