PETALING JAYA: Mohd Haziq Najib narrowly missed out on the perfect boost before his national team trial this week after falling short in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian International Series in Ipoh yesterday.
The Selangor Malaysia Games (Sukma) gold medallist pushed national player Razeeq Danial Rosle all the way before going down 21-17, 12-21, 20-22 after a 52-minute battle at the Perak Badminton Arena.
Despite the defeat, it was still an encouraging outing for independent shuttler Haziq, with the tournament only his third international assignment of the year after the Philippine International Challenge last month and the Baoji China Masters in May.
Haziq will now turn his attention to his trial with the national team this week.
For Razeeq, the victory handed him his first title of the year and was one of three crowns won by Malaysian shuttlers in the tournament.
In the mixed doubles, Irfan Shazmir-Genevie Lim claimed their first title together after defeating fellow Malaysians Lau Yi Sheng-Yap Rui Chen 21-18, 21-15 in 31 minutes.
Both Shazmir and Genevie were pleased to finally come away with a title together.
“I still felt nervous, especially before reaching 11 points, but after scoring a few more points, the nerves started to fade,” said Shazmir.
Genevie hoped the victory would give them more confidence as they look to build on their partnership.
“I think I can still improve my consistency and strength, so I will keep working hard in training,” she said.
Malaysia also celebrated in the men’s doubles, where Lau Yi Sheng-Lee Yi Bo edged Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal-Isyraf Hafizin 22-20, 22-20 in 34 minutes to claim the title.
FINAL RESULTS
Men’s singles: Razeeq Danial Roslee (Mas) bt Haziq Najib (Mas) 17-21, 21-12, 22-20.
Men’s doubles: Lau Yi Sheng-Lee Yi Bo (Mas) bt Isyraf Hafizin-Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal (Mas) 22-20, 22-20.
Women’s singles: Anyapat Phichitpreechasak (Tha) bt Mayla Cahya (Ina) 21-14, 21-16.
Women’s doubles: Hsieh Mi-yen-Yu Chien-hui (Tpe) bt Tidapron Kleebyeesun-Nattamon Laisuan (Tha) 21-8, 21-14.
Mixed doubles: Irfan Shazmir-Genevie Lim (Mas) bt Lau Yi Shen-Yap Rui Chen (Mas) 21-18, 21-15.
