KUALA LUMPUR: If there's one thing Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have learned in their journey to success, it's the ability to stay strong amid adversity.
The world No. 8, pursuing their fourth title of the season, overcame Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura 21-23, 21-14, 21-13 in their Super 750 China Masters opener today despite admitting they weren't at their best.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin are aiming to rediscover their winning touch following several disappointing results, including a second-round exit at last week's Kumamoto Masters Super 500.
"We're not in our best shape today, but it's still positive that we managed to overcome these difficulties," said Sze Fei.
Izzuddin added: "That's probably one of the key lessons we've learned in recent months – knowing how to win even when we're not at our best."
The Malaysian pair await the winners between Taiwanese combinations Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen and Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi Lin in the last 16.
In mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei fought back from a game down to beat Taiwan's Ye Hong Wei-Nicole Gonzales Chan 21-23, 21-9, 21-12, while Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai suffered a crushing 21-9, 21-9 defeat to China's Guo Xin Wa-Chen Fang Hui.
"There's no excuse, we've underperformed," Shevon conceded.
In women's singles, Goh Jin Wei lost 21-18, 21-16 to former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Michelle Li of Canada — her sixth straight first-round exit on the World Tour.