PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (pic) knows Alwi Farhan will be out for revenge when they face off in the men’s singles final at the Indonesian Masters in Surabaya.
It was Aidil who defeated Alwi in the first round of the Indonesian Masters last year before losing in the quarter-finals.
Both have shown improvement in the last one year with the world No. 43 Alwi, achieving better result than the Malaysian.
Yesterday, the unseeded Aidil went the distance to beat fourth seed Yohanes Saut of Indonesia 21-19, 21-23, 21-16 in the semi-finals while second seed Alwi had an easier path as he downed compatriot Prahdiska Bagas 21-9, 21-17 in another semi-final match.
Aidil last won the Indonesia International Challenge title in Surabaya while Alwi lifted the home IC in Medan last year.
Said coach Nova Armada: “Aidil has fought hard to beat the top seed (Kiran George, first round) and fourth seed (Yohanes). I just hope that he will play his normal game against a tough opponent in the final.”
It was however over for Malaysia in the men’s doubles with the defeats of Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayob-Tan Wee Kiong and Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong in the semi-finals respectively.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old K. Letshanaa downed second seed Liang Ting-yu of Taiwan 21-18, 21-19 in 43 minutes to set up a meeting with Ni Kadek Dhinda of Indonesia.
