KUCHING: Eighteen years of waiting finally came to an end on Sunday as Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani battled back to capture the Indonesia Open men’s doubles title and restore Malaysia’s name to the honour roll at Istora Senayan in Jakarta today.
The world No. 8 pair recovered from a game down to defeat Indonesia’s Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin 13-21, 21-18, 21-10 in the final, becoming the first Malaysians since Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari and Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif in 2008 to lift the prestigious crown.
The triumph also delivered Sze Fei and Izzuddin their second Super 1000 title in two years, following their breakthrough China Open success in 2024, further cementing their status among the world’s elite men’s doubles pairs.
There was also a sense of déjà vu about the result.
Back in January, Sze Fei and Izzuddin denied the same Indonesian pair in the Indonesia Masters final, prevailing 21-19, 21-13 in front of another partisan Jakarta crowd.
Five months later, history repeated itself on an even bigger stage.
Once again, Raymond and Nikolaus carried the hopes of the home supporters. Once again, the Malaysians found themselves facing the pressure of a packed Istora Senayan. And once again, it was Sze Fei and Izzuddin who emerged victorious.
The final, however, did not begin according to script.
Roared on by thousands of Indonesian fans, Raymond and Nikolaus came out firing, launching wave after wave of attacks and forcing the Malaysians onto the back foot.
The younger Indonesians were quicker to settle, capitalising on several unforced errors from Sze Fei and Izzuddin to seize control of the opening game.
With the crowd sensing an upset, Raymond and Nikolaus maintained their intensity to comfortably claim the first set 21-13.
The second game followed a similar pattern early on as the Indonesians continued to dictate the pace.
Yet just as the momentum appeared firmly in the hosts’ favour, the Malaysians began to respond.
Drawing on their experience, Sze Fei and Izzuddin gradually found their rhythm, tightening up defensively while becoming more decisive in attack.
Point by point, they chipped away at the deficit before taking control of the crucial closing exchanges.
The Malaysians eventually secured the second game 21-18, forcing the final into a decider and silencing much of the Istora crowd in the process.
With confidence restored, Sze Fei and Izzuddin carried their momentum into the third game.
The pair looked transformed.
Having read the Indonesians’ movements and rediscovered their rhythm, the Malaysians began dictating the rallies, turning defence into attack with growing confidence.
An early 6-3 advantage soon grew to 15-9 as Sze Fei and Izzuddin tightened their grip on the contest.
By then, the Indonesians were struggling to find answers.
The Malaysians continued to pile on the pressure, stretching their lead to 17-9 before closing out the match in emphatic fashion.
When the final point landed, Sze Fei and Izzuddin had completed a remarkable turnaround, sealing the deciding game 21-10 and with it one of the most significant victories of their partnership.
Beyond the trophy, the title carried added significance.
In addition to ending Malaysia’s 18-year wait for the title, the victory also earned the pair a winner’s cheque of US$107,300 (approximately RM455,000), the largest payday of their season so far.
For Sze Fei and Izzuddin, Jakarta has once again proven a happy hunting ground.
And for Malaysian badminton, the long wait is finally over.
