KUALA LUMPUR: Earlier, it seemed men's doubles Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were having a clear path to the Malaysia Open final when their main rivals and world No. 1 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen fell in the first round in another match at the Axiata Arena today.
But instead of seizing on the opportunity, the world No. 3 Malaysian duo themselves suffered a shock 21-15, 9-21, 21-18 loss to Denmark's world No. 26 Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard in 52 minutes.
Astrup-Rasmussen, who had beaten Sze Fei-Izzuddin in the final of the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, last month, were expected to clash again with Sze Fei-Izzuddin in the Malaysia Open semi-finals.
The hectic schedule in recent months had apparently also taken its toll as Astrup-Rasmussen suffered an uncharacteristic 21-16, 18-21, 22-20 defeat to world No. 35 Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin of Taiwan.
Local shuttlers have not won the Malaysia Open men's doubles crown since Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong's triumph in 2016. And Sze Fei-Izzuddin had looked good enough to end the drought.
But Sze Fei-Izzuddin ended up kicking themselves for letting slip the chance today.
"We struggled with our rotation and rhythm, but the opponents played better today," said Sze Fei.
"The high expectations are beyond our control and we can only try our best."
The unexpected defeat was an indication that Sze Fei-Izzuddin became victims of their own spectacular run over the last five months. The independent pair had won the Japan Open, China Open and the Arctic Open besides finishing runners-up at the WTF.
The efforts saw Sze Fei suffering severe cramps in a group match against Astrup-Rasmussen during the WTF. It was clear today that Sze Fei-Izzuddin were simply unable to get back to their best.