It’s been hip hip hooray for Haikal’s partnership with Arif

Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (left) and Mohd Haikal Nazri - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: Rising men’s doubles shuttler Haikal Nazri was pleased that his hip injury did not stop him from making waves with his partner Wan Arif Wan Junaidi this year.

The 19-year-old duo bagged two titles in four tournaments thus far, winning the Austrian Open in May and Hellas International in Greece last week.

Haikal-Arif could have had a third title to their names had they beaten teammates Yap Roy King-Nurfirdaus Azman in the final of the Latvia International a fortnight ago.

The pair will be aiming to reach their third successive final in Europe in the ongoing Ukraine International in Kharkiv this week.

Haikal-Nazri have a clear path to the last four where they could face Roy King-Nurfirdaus for the third time in as many tournaments.

They managed to avenge their defeat to Roy King-Nurfirdaus in the semi-finals in Greece.

“Hopefully, we can go far again this week,” said Haikal.

“Arif and I have enjoyed quite a good start to a senior career and we’re eager to keep the momentum going.

“These may be lower-tier events, but the two victories meant the world to us. We’re grateful for the opportunities given by BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) and I believe we have made the most out of them.

“But overall, I still feel that I’m not in my best physical condition due to my hip injury.

“It’s been quite a while and I have got it checked out. It’s not that serious and I hope I’ll get back to my top shape soon.”

Currently placed 200th in the world, Haikal-Arif stand a chance to rise to the fourth highest-ranked pair in the national team if they secure a third title this week.

They could leapfrog world No. 171 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, the winners of the Polish Open and Spanish International, to be ranked behind world No. 8 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, No. 27 Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Goh Sze Fei and No. 74 Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong.

Chang Yee Jun-Chia Wei Jie (No. 212), Roy King-Nurfirdaus (No. 255) and Lwi Sheng Hao-Loo Bing Kun (No. 268) are the other pairs in the men’s doubles department headed by Flandi Limpele.