Zulfadli in the final of Brazil Grand Prix

Zulfadli Zulkiffli return the shot against Chong Yee Han during the second round of Celcom Axiata National circuit first leg at Juara stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. Zulfadli won 21-15,21-19 (25/05/2016/S.S.KANESAN/The Star)

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli is on the verge of winning a title in Brazil.

The 23-year-old Zulfadli easily reached the men’s singles final of the Brazil Grand Prix after beating homester Ygor Coelho De Oliveira 21-18, 24-22 in Foz do Iguacu on Saturday.

Zulfadli will face fourth seed Anand Pawar of India for the title. In their last meeting at the Australian Open in 2013, Zulfadli conceded a walkover after losing 21-18 in the opening game in the first round. 

World No. 40 Zulfadli is desperately seeking ranking points to stay as one of Malaysia’s top three men’s singles shuttlers. He is ranked third behind world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei and No. 26 Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Anand Pawar (Ind) bt Misha Zilberman (Isr) 18-21, 21-14, 21-12; Zulfadli Zulkifli (Mas) bt Ygor Coelho De Oliveira (Bra) 21-18, 24-22.

Men’s doubles: Jonas Ralfy Jansen-Josche Zurwonne (Ger) bt Matijs Diericks-Freek Golinski (Bel) 14-21, 21-13, 21-11; Michael Fuchs-Fabian Holzer (Ger) bt B.R. Sankeerth-Toby Ng (Can) 21-9, 21-13.

Women’s singles: Airi Mikkela (Fin) bt Fabiana Silva (Bra) 21-14, 19-21, 21-7; Beatriz Corrales (Spa) bt Rachel Honderich (Can) 21-19, 12-21, 21-12.

Women’s doubles: Barbara Bellenberg-Eva Janssens (Ger) bt Paula Pereira-Fabiana Silva (Bra) 25-23, 21-11; Bianca De Oliveira Lima-Naira Beatriz Vier (Bra) bt Manoela Koepsel-Thayse Salles (Bra) 22-20, 21-11.

Mixed doubles: Pranaav Jerry Chopra-Reddy N. Sikki (Ind) bt Fabian Holzer-Barbara Bellenberg (Ger) 21-18, 21-15; Toby Ng-Rachel Honderich (Can) bt Michael Fuchs-Eva Janssens (Ger) 16-21, 21-19, 21-17.