KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin produced one of their finest performances of the season to send world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae crashing out of the French Open on Friday, keeping alive hopes of an all-Malaysian men's doubles final.
The world No. 5 took 36 minutes to overcome the top-seeded South Koreans 21-15, 21-18 at Arena Grand Paris, earning their place in the semi-finals of the Super 750 tournament.
It was a remarkable victory for the sixth seeds, who had lost their previous two encounters against the Koreans at the Japan Open and World Championships in August.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin have now beaten Won Ho-Seung Jae three times in seven meetings, including their Indonesia Open semi-final victory in June.
Sze Fei admitted that they were surprised by the Koreans' approach but credited their own ability to make the most of their physical condition.
"I don't know what happened to them. Maybe they tried to change their style, but we just tried to enjoy the game," said Sze Fei in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation.
"To be honest, we're not 100 per cent fit, so we tried to focus more on the quality of our strokes. That worked well."
Izzuddin said communication and discipline were equally important in overcoming the Koreans.
"The key was to enjoy our match, communicate with each other and stick with the game plan," he said.
It was also the second consecutive week that Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae, who appeared almost invincible last season, had fallen to a Malaysian pair, following their defeat to Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the Denmark Open semi-finals.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will next face Indonesia's world No. 25 Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin, against whom they hold a 2-0 head-to-head advantage.
A victory on Saturday would send them into their fourth World Tour final of the season, having already captured the Indonesia Masters and Indonesia Open titles while finishing runners-up at the Malaysia Masters.
Malaysia could even have two pairs contesting in Sunday's final, with Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also reaching the semi-finals, although under unfortunate circumstances.
The world No. 11 were leading Aaron-Wooi Yik 5-0 in the opening game when their senior compatriots retired after just two minutes.
The reason for the fourth seeds' retirement was not immediately known.
Ironically, it was a reversal of fortunes from the World Championships in August, when Wei Chong-Kai Wun handed Aaron-Wooi Yik a walkover in their all-Malaysian last-16 encounter after Kai Wun fell ill.
This time, it was Wei Chong-Kai Wun who benefited from their compatriots' misfortune.
They will next face Indonesia's world No. 14 Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin, who won their only previous meeting.
Victories for both Malaysian pairs would set up an all-Malaysian final in Paris, adding another memorable chapter to the country's strong showing in men's doubles in the European swing.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd