PETALING JAYA: Professional men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were left stunned after their China Open campaign came to an abrupt end in the first round in Changzhou.

The defending champions, who were riding high after finishing runners-up at the Japan Open last week, were expected to cruise past South Korea’s world No. 40 pair Kang Min-hyuk-Ki Dong-ju.

But the top seeds suffered a shock 21-15, 15-21, 17-21 defeat in a 56-minute encounter.

Clearly disappointed, Sze Fei-Izzuddin struggled to find words after the match and offered only a brief response.

They credited the Korean pair for their composure and tactical control that thwarted their hopes of advancing.

“I think we already tried our best, but our opponents were better than us today. In terms of the first three shots, they were able to control the game,” said Sze Fei in a post-match interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie also endured a similar disappointment after going down 21-18, 22-24, 15-21 to Indonesia’s Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu yesterday.

It has been a disappointing week for Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who not only lost their world No. 1 ranking to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, but also slipped to No. 3 in the world behind compatriots Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

To make matters worse, just two days before their opening match in Changzhou, the pair were also caught in speculation that they might return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). However, Sze Fei was quick to deny the rumours.

They now have a month to regroup and get themselves ready for the World Championships, which will be held in Paris starting on Aug 23.