KUALA LUMPUR: The physical and mental demands of men's doubles likely took a toll on Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani at the Denmark Open on Monday, according to badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek.
The world No. 8 looked exhausted in their first-round match against Thailand's Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh, losing 21-13, 21-13 in just 32 minutes.
However, Sze Fei-Izzuddin have been exceptional leading up to the Denmark Open, winning three of their last six tournaments since turning professional.
The pair stunned higher-ranked opponents to win the Super 750 Japan Open in August, the Super 1000 China Open last month and the Arctic Open last week.
Razif described their achievements as extraordinary, stating that one early exit should not diminish their accomplishments.
He added that the energy-sapping run at the Arctic Open likely affected their performance in Denmark.
In the Arctic Open, Sze Fei-Izzuddin overcame former world No. 1 pair Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia (quarter-finals), current world No. 1 Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang of China (semi-finals) and world No. 2 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark (final).
All three matches went to three games.
"What they have achieved since turning professional is simply fantastic. No one expected them to win three titles, and it's an excellent start to their professional career," said Razif, who, along with his brother Jalani Sidek, formed one of the most feared partnerships in men's doubles during the 1980s and early 1990s.
"The men's doubles scene is highly competitive, and almost all the top 15 pairs are capable of beating one another.
"I don't think their first-round defeat in Denmark is alarming. Their mental and physical stamina were pushed to the limit at the Arctic Open, and they only had a few days to recover. Back-to-back events are challenging."
Kittinupong-Dechapol are not new to success, having won the 2014 world junior title before going separate ways after clinching the men's doubles gold at the 2017 Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Dechapol has enjoyed a successful mixed doubles career with Sapsiree Taerattanachai, with whom he won the 2021 world title, while Kittinupong partnered Supak Jomkoh from 2018 until last month's China Open.
"There has been a reshuffle in Thailand. Kittinupong and Dechapol are experienced players, and it's always tricky facing new combinations who are eager to prove themselves," added Razif.
"Sze Fei-Izzuddin should bounce back stronger, as they have shown maturity in battling the best in recent tournaments."
Despite their defeat, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are well-positioned to qualify for the lucrative World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou from Dec 11-15, as they are currently ranked third.
The top eight pairs qualify for the WTF, where the men's doubles champions stand to win US$210,000 (RM905,000).