KUALA LUMPUR: There was no comeback for Malaysia's "comeback kings" in the men's doubles final of the World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou, China, today.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani lost 21-17, 17-21, 21-11 to Denmark's world No. 3 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in 65 minutes.
It was a double blow for Malaysia as earlier in the day, mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei failed to upset Olympic champions Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong of China.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin had won the Japan, China and Arctic Opens on the World Tour this season by staging late fightbacks.
They also pulled off a Houdini act against Indonesia's world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto by saving six match points in the WTF semi-finals.
Today, when Sze Fei-Izzuddin won the second game against Astrup-Rasmussen, Malaysian fans were anticipating another epic fightback, but the Danes halted the Malaysians' surge early in the third game.
Nonetheless, Sze Fei said that reaching the WTF final had exceeded their own expectations.
"To be honest, we have achieved beyond our expectations. We thank our support team and appreciate the fans for motivating us," said Sze Fei.
"There wasn't much difference in the way they played in the group match (Sze Fei-Izzuddin also lost to Astrup-Rasmussen) and today, but we just couldn't come up with the right strategy to counter them."
Izzuddin said: "This has been really good for us as we achieved many things we have never managed before. I would give ourselves 10 over 10 for the way we have kept improving.
"Astrup-Rasmussen were tactically superior and patient today."
Independent pair Sze Fei-Izzuddin earned US$253,587.5 (RM1.13 million) from eight tournaments on the World Tour since August before arriving in Hangzhou. They earned another US$100,000 by finishing runners-up in the WTF.
RESULTS (All Finals)
Malaysians unless stated
Men's singles: Shi Yu Qi (Chn) bt Anders Antonsen (Den) 21-18, 21-14.
Doubles: Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den) bt Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani 21-17, 17-21, 21-11.
Women's singles: Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt Han Yue (Chn) 19-21, 21-19, 21-11.
Doubles: Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee (Kor) bt Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida (Jpn) 21-19, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong (Chn) bt Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei 21-18, 14-21, 21-17.