New Delhi: Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong failed to maintain their winning momentum after going down to Indonesia’s Gideon Markus Fernaldi/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the semi-final of the India Open at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, India on Saturday.
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong lost in straight sets 15-21, 17-21 in 35 minutes.
The Malaysian duo had beaten No. 4 seeds Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding of Denmark in the quarterfinals on Friday to make it to the semis of the Super Series Premier tournament that offers US$300,000 (RM1.167 million) as total prize money.
Meanwhile, Fernaldi/Sukamuljo will clash with compatriots and No. 7 seeds Angga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwardi for the men’s doubles title.
Angga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwardi outlasted No. 5 seeds Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Cheol of South Korea in the other semifinal 21-18, 6-21, 21-19 to advance to the final.
In men’s singles, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen played a virtually flawless match to overcome South Korea’s Son Wan Ho, 21-11, 21-11. Axelsen will meet Japan’s Kento Momota in the final, after Momota escaped a potential defeat when his opponent Xue Song of China pulled out of the tournament due to injury while leading Momota 21-7, 6-3.
“Momota has been playing really well, and tomorrow’s final will be tough. Of course, I really hope I can win the title, it would mean a lot to me,” said Axelsen.
If Viktor Axelsen could win the India Open title on Sunday, that would be his first ever Super Series title of his career.
