KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 — Malaysia’s challenge in the men’s singles was wiped out in the first round of the Malaysia Open Super Series Premier Badminton championships at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here today.
Zulfadli Zulkifli, 22, the country’s lone hope in the men’s singles, went down tamely to China’s Tian Houwei, 21-5 and 21-7 in just 33 minutes.
Tian, the 2012 Junior World champion, was in top form in the qualifying rounds when he overcame two tough opponents.
He defeated Saatawat Pongnairat (United States) 21-12 and 21-8 in the first qualifying round and Fikri Ihsandi Hadmadi (Indonesia) 23-21 and 21-14 in the second qualifying round.
“I did not play well today. Maybe I was tired from yesterday’s matches even though I won easily in straight sets but the games were rather long.
May be I used up too much energy yesterday.”
Zulfadli, who is coached by his father Zulkifli Sidek, conceded that his Chinese opponent was a better player today.
He is planning a series of training to enhance his physical capability and stamina to compete in the super series.
Zulfadli was upset and wanted to forget the defeat and focus on preparation for the Singapore Open Super Series next week.
“I was the country’s sole hope. Malaysians have been depending on Datuk Lee Chong Wei but he is not around. I apologise to all local badminton fans.
His mission was to collect as many points as possible to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games as well as to improve his world rankings.
Zulfadli is now ranked 48th in the world and hopes that his compatriots rise up to fill the vacuum left by Chong Wei.
He said the time has come for young players to take up the challenge as displayed by Chong Wei in the past.
The absence of Chong Wei and loss suffered by Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng, Goh Soon Huat and Mohamad Arif Abdul Latiff in the qualifying rounds paves the way for Chinese players Lin Dan and Cheng Long and Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen to land their first Malaysia Open title. — Bernama
