National shuttler Iskandar keeps upward trend in Dutch Open

National shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin training prior to the Malaysian Open badminton tournament last year. - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: National shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin continued to show improvement after checking into the second round of the Dutch Open.

The 24-year-old Iskandar’s fortunes have been revived since Morten Frost joined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as the technical director in March.

Iskandar won the Singapore International Series in August – his first career title – and followed it up with the Polish International title last month.

Ranked 104th in July, Iskandar has moved up to No. 68 in the world to become the fourth ranked Malaysian after Lee Chong Wei (No. 24), Chong Wei Feng (No. 33) and Zulfadli Zulkiffli (No. 39).

And Iskandar continued his upward swing by beating 14th seed Anand Pawar of India 21-10, 21-15 in the first round of the Dutch Open in Almere on Wednesday.

“It’s a good win and I’m feeling more confident... I hope to continue playing well,” said Iskandar.

“I needed the motivation to keep going and Morten has done well to encourage me and give me the opportunity ... which is why I’m playing better.

“I’m also hoping to go far and earn ranking points in GP events like this after my breakthrough in smaller tournaments.”

Iskandar will meet England’s Rhys Walker for a place in the third round.

There was also winning starts for two other national shuttlers – Goh Soon Huat and Soo Teck Zhi.

World No. 93 Soon Huat defeated Indonesia’s Adi Pratama 21-16, 21-13 to set up a second-round clash with Germany’s Kai Schaefer, while 2013 Asian Junior champion Teck Zhi beat Frenchman Lucas Corvee 21-18, 21-16.

Independent shuttler and sixth seed Zulfadli Zulkiffli also started strongly – beating France’s Lucas Claerbout 21-11, 21-10 to set up a date with Finland’s Ville Lang.

Results (Malaysians only)

First round

Men’s singles: Soo Teck Zhi bt Lucas Corvee (Fra) 21-18, 21-16; Chen Chun-wei (Tpe) bt Zulhelmi Zulkiffli 21-12, 20-19, rtd; Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin bt Anand Pawar (Ind) 21-10 21-15; Goh Soon Huat bt Adi Pratama (Ina) 21-16, 21-13.