Aidil rewarded for his bold play in Bangkok

New Straits Times

14-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: It may only be the second round of a Super 500 tournament, but for Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin it is a career milestone.
The world No. 48 played superbly to stun China's world No. 32 Wang Zheng Xing 21-12, 19-21, 21-18 in the first round at the Thailand Open today.
Aidil advanced after a 59-minute battle at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. And for the first time, the professional shuttler is in the second round of a Super 500 event on the World Tour.
Aidil has enjoyed a strong season thus far, capturing the Sri Lanka International Challenge title in March and reaching the semi-finals of the Ruichang Masters in the same month.
"I'm grateful for this win. I felt that I was braver with every shot I played throughout the match. I didn't overthink things," said Aidil when contacted.
Aidil's career with the BA of Malaysia had stalled after he failed to break into the world's top 60, eventually being relegated to being a sparring partner
for the national team's elite players.
Last year, he parted ways with the national setup and was invited to train under Indonesian coach Nova Armada.
Nova, who also coaches women's shuttler Goh Jin Wei, initially brought in Aidil as a sparring partner for Cheah Liek Hou in preparation for the Paris Paralympics.
Following Liek Hou's successful campaign in Paris, Nova shifted his focus back to Aidil. He secured sponsorship for Aidil, enabling him to resume his competitive career.
The results have been encouraging. Aidil won the Sri Lanka International title in March and reached the semi-finals of the Ruichang Masters the same month.
He will try to pull off another surprise in the second round,
against a formidable world No. 14 Lu Guang Zu of China.
Guang Zu beat Thailand's Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 21-15, 14-21, 21-19 in the first round.
"I don't want to overthink it, I just plan to go all out against Guang Zu," said Aidil.
Aidil and Guang Zu have never crossed paths before, but if the 25-year-old can summon the same tenacity he displayed against Zheng Xing, an upset may well be on the cards.
In women's doubles, world No. 25 Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing overcame Taiwan's world No. 52 Chen Su Yu-Hsieh Yi En 21-15, 18-21, 21-15. The Malaysian pair will next face the winners of the all-Indonesian clash between Meilysa Puspitasari-Rachel Rose and Apriyani Rahayu-Febi Setianingrum.
However, mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin suffered their third consecutive first-round defeat. The world No. 14 and seventh seeds fell to home favourites Supak Jomkoh-Ornnicha Jongsathapornparn 21-15, 21-18, 21-17.
Their run of early exits began at the All England in March, followed by the Asia Championships last month.
National players Yap Roy King-Valeree Siow also fell early, losing to South Korea's world No. 56 Ki Dong Ju-Jeong Na Eun 21-18, 21-17.