Yeosu: Both Ng Tze Yong and Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin faced losses in the quarter-finals, leading to the conclusion of the Malaysian badminton team’s journey at the 2023 Korea Open.
In particular, Ng Tze Yong, the world’s No. 23 men’s singles player, failed to advance to the semi-finals. In the quarter-finals, he faced Singapore’s former world champion Loh Kean Yew, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the world. The match was closely contested, with Loh Kean Yew securing victory with scores of 22-20, 21-19.
The first game saw intense exchanges, with the players drawing levels at 17, 18, and 20 points. However, Loh Kean Yew seized the opportunity and scored two consecutive points to claim the game.
In the second game, the intensity continued with the score leveled at 11 different times, ranging from 15-15 to 19-19 draws. In the end, Loh Kean Yew again managed to score two consecutive points, securing the win and avenging his defeat to Ng Tze Yong during last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Although reaching the quarter-finals marked Ng Tze Yong’s best record so far this year, it was also his fifth loss in the top 8 out of the 12 tournaments he has participated in 2023. However, the Korea Open’s performance allowed him to bounce back from the early exits he experienced in the previous two competitions.
After a victory in the Badminton Asia Championships in April, Loh Kean Yew progressed to the semi-finals for the second time this year. He is now set to face Japan’s world No. 4 and No. 1 seed, Kodai Naraoka.
In other top 8 matches in the second half, China’s world No. 6 Shi Yuqi narrowly defeated his compatriot, Lu Guangzu, ranked No. 13, with scores of 21-7, 13-21, 21-18. Shi Yuqi will now face Denmark’s World No. 16, Anders Antonsen, who eliminated Japan’s World No. 11, Kenta Nishimoto, with a 2-1 victory.
With the quarter-finals concluded, badminton fans are eagerly awaiting the semi-finals and the intense battles they will bring.
In men’s doubles, Malaysia’s World No. 46 Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin, were halted in the top 8 of the Korea Open. They were beaten by the World’s No. 1 Indonesian pair – Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto 9-21, 21-23.
This marked the 8th defeat for the Goh/Izzuddin against Alfian/Ardianto in the 9 times they have played together. Additionally, it extended their losing streak against Alfian/Ardianto to 5 games since the Swiss Open final last year.
Just last week, Goh/Izzuddin debuted with their re-united partnership in the U.S. Open and showcased outstanding performances by winning the championship. Without taking a break, they swiftly continued their campaign in South Korea, only to conclude in the top 8.
