Ideal chance for Aidil to show he can break into world's elite
Tough challenge: Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin will play China's Lu Guangzu in the second round of the Thailand Open today.
PETALING JAYA: After long harbouring hopes of joining the world's elite, independent men's singles shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin now has a golden chance to test himself when he goes up against Asia Championships runner-up Lu Guangzu today.
The 24-year-old will take on the world No. 14 in the second round of the Thailand Open at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok and this will be their first-ever meeting on the international stage.
Last week at the Taiwan Open, Aidil had the chance to test himself against world No. 9 Chou Tien-chen, but experience proved the difference as the Malaysian went down 14-21, 16-21 in just 37 minutes.
Last week at the Taiwan Open, Aidil had the opportunity to take on world No. 9 Chou Tien-chen, but found the seasoned campaigner too hot to handle and lost 14-21, 16-21 in just 37 minutes. Tien-chen went on to finish as the runner-up in the tournament.
Today's clash against Guangzu offers Aidil a shot at redemption and it will be a true test of his credentials as he aims to break into the world's top 32 by the end of the year.
Chinese players were once viewed as unbeatable, but that perception no longer intimidates Aidil. He has already claimed a few scalps this year, including Zhang Ning and Wang Zijun at the China Masters in March, though those opponents were ranked much lower than Guangzu.
Yesterday, Aidil got his campaign off to a strong start by battling past world No. 32 Wang Zhengxing 21-12, 19-21, 21-18 in the opening round.
A victory over Guangzu today would be a significant confidence boost and a statement of intent from the Selangor-born shuttler.
'I won today because I dared to go for my shots, and it paid off.
'As for Lu Guangzu, I know he's the stronger player, but I'm not going to overthink it. I'm just going to go all out and give everything I've got,' said Aidil when contacted.
Aidil has spent most of his career competing in lower-tier tournaments such as the International Challenge and International Series, and occasionally in Super 100 events.
He has made the most of those opportunities and has already picked up one title this year at the Sri Lanka International in early March. It was his first title since winning the Indonesia International two years ago.
In 2022, when he made his debut in a Super 500 event at the Korea Open, his campaign ended in the qualifying round.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
China's World Cup hopes over with 1-0 Indonesia defeat
JAKARTA: China's hopes of reaching only a second World Cup in their history were ended on Thursday after a 1-0 defeat to Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Jakarta. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of Asian qualifying Group C with one game remaining. President Xi Jinping once said he wanted China to win the World Cup, but this defeat means they have still only been to the tournament once, in 2002. The result leaves Indonesia in the coveted fourth spot to remain alive in qualifying for next year's tournament in North America. A sell-out crowd of 76,000 at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium was sent into raptures after the Oxford United striker Romeny tucked away his spot-kick. The 45th-minute goal proved to be the winner after a VAR review when Ricky Kambuaya went down under minimal contact. It came at the perfect time for the hosts, just before the break, following a drab first half. Indonesia have 12 points with one game remaining, with teams finishing third and fourth going into a further round of qualifying for 2026. Now only Bahrain can catch them but they must beat Saudi Arabia at home later Thursday. As for China, they have won just two of their nine games in this round of Asian qualifying, losing seven. Indonesia, now coached by Dutch great Kluivert, are attempting to reach a first World Cup since independence in 1945. They dominated possession throughout and defended stoutly. China -- who won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Qingdao -- applied the pressure with their World Cup hopes fading. After the break Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero was forced into a mighty save to keep out Wang Yudong's low shot from the edge of the box. China's Brazilian-born midfielder Serginho flashed a ball across the six-yard box that only needed a touch, but failed to find a suitor. In between Chinese attacks, Indonesia kept finding space to create chances but were unable to convert. Indonesia right-back Kevin Diks found his way into the box but had a shot saved before blazing the rebound wide. But it was their night, both teams largely cancelling each other out, allowing Indonesia to claim victory and spark wild scenes at the full-time whistle. - AFP
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
UPDATED: Malaysian badminton makes history with men's pairs dominating world's top 2 rankings
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani held their nerve to keep their place at the summit of the world rankings, and in doing so, ensured they remain the leading pair in what is now a historic Malaysian one-two in men's doubles. The world No. 1 duo survived a scare at the Indonesia Open on Thursday, rallying to beat world No. 28 compatriots Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub–Tan Wee Kiong 21-14, 16-21, 21-14 in a tense second-round clash at the Istora Senayan. It was not a match to be taken lightly. The two pairs had met three times previously, with Sze Fei–Izzuddin holding a narrow 2-1 edge, a reminder that their fellow independent and training mates are no pushovers. Had they lost, Sze Fei–Izzuddin would have been overtaken by fellow Malaysians Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, who are projected to move up to No. 2 despite a first-round exit, thanks to the rolling points system and key upsets in the draw. But by advancing to the quarter-finals, Sze Fei–Izzuddin retained enough points to hold onto top spot with the current projected total of 91,090, narrowly ahead of Aaron–Wooi Yik's 89,870. Sze Fei–Izzuddin could now look to extend their lead depending on how far they go in Jakarta. It's still a landmark moment for Malaysian badminton, with two pairs set to be officially ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world when the new rankings are updated next Tuesday, a feat never before achieved in the country's storied history in men's doubles. The last time Malaysia had two pairs in the top three came in 2006, when Koo Kien Keat–Chan Chong Ming were ranked No. 2 and Choong Tan Fook–Lee Wan Wah sat at No. 3. But never have two Malaysian pairs simultaneously occupied the top two spots, until now. Aaron–Wooi Yik, the 2022 world champions, gained ground after Denmark's Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were ousted in the second round by Japan's Takuro Hoki–Yugo Kobayashi. The Danes lost 29-27, 21-11 in a match they needed to win to defend their semi-final points from last year, and are expected to fall to 87,520 and drop to third in the rankings. It was a pressure-filled outing for Sze Fei–Izzuddin, who had quarter-final points to defend from last year and needed the win to avoid being dethroned just two weeks after becoming Malaysia's first new men's pair to reach No. 1 since Goh V Shem–Tan Wee Kiong in 2016. Next up, Sze Fei–Izzuddin will face Indonesia's world No. 8 pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani in the quarter-finals. The two pairs have met only twice previously, with their last encounter, at the China Masters in November last year, going down to the wire before the Indonesians edged a thrilling 18-21, 21-18, 23-21 win.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
Sze Fei-Izzuddin Lead Five Malaysian Pairs Into Indonesia Open Quarter-Finals
KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- National professional men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani led the charge of five Malaysian pairs into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Indonesia Open badminton tournament at Istora Senayan, Jakarta today. In the second round of the Super 1000-level tournament, the world number one pair faced a tough challenge from compatriots Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong before sealing a 21-14, 16-21, 21-14 victory in 54 minutes. The India Open champions in January will next face Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. bootstrap slideshow Joining Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin are Malaysia Masters champions in May, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who defeated compatriots Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King 14-21, 21-11, 21-15. The world number seven pair will go up against India's Satwisairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. In the mixed doubles, second seeds Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei lived up to expectations by reaching the quarter-finals after ousting Denmark's Mads Vestergaard-Christine Busch 21-9, 21-12 in just 31 minutes. They will next meet another Danish pair, Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund. Also making it into the last eight are Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who defeated Indonesia's Amri Syahnawi-Nita Violina Marwah 21-12, 21-17 to set up a clash with Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran. Meanwhile, national top women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah secured their spot in the quarter-finals after staging a comeback to beat Indonesia's Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti 18-21, 21-16, 21-17. The world number four pair will face Japan's Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi, who overcame Malaysia's Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting 21-15, 21-16 in the second round.
