KUALA LUMPUR: No pair, not even world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China, can stop red-hot Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, says former national coach Rashid Sidek.
World No. 8 Sze Fei-Izzuddin put in a stunning performance to topple the Chinese pair 19-21, 21-17, 21-18 in a thrilling 62-minute battle, booking their spot in the Arctic Open final in Vantaa, Finland, today.
The Malaysians, now eyeing their third World Tour crown of the season after victories at the China Open and Japan Open, are proving to be unstoppable since turning professional five weeks ago.
Rashid isn't surprised by Sze Fei-Izzuddin's incredible form.
"Going independent has certainly motivated them to work harder and perform better," said Rashid.
"When they were under the BA of Malaysia, they had the weight of expectations and targets. Now, they have the freedom to carve their own path, and it's clearly paying off.
"I believe they are in their best form yet, and no pair can touch them right now. They need to keep this momentum going."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will face either Denmark's World No. 2 pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen or Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren in tomorrow's final.
Meanwhile, independent mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai saw their run come to an end after a 21-14, 21-8 defeat to China's world No. 3 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin in the semi-finals.