Aidil keeps first final within reach after stunning fifth seed


PETALING JAYA: Independent men’s singles shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin is one step closer to reaching his first final this year after knocking out China’s fifth seed Dong Tianyao in the Vietnam Open quarter-finals yesterday.

Aidil, who has struggled for form in recent months, bounced back after dropping the opening game to overcome Tianyao 21-18, 21-17 at the Nguyen Du Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Selangor-born shuttler will face Japan’s Koga Minoru in the semi-finals as he looks to make his first final appearance since the Al Ain Masters in the United Arab Emirates last September.

Men’s doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Wong Vin Sean also booked their place in the last four after brushing aside Taiwan’s Cheng Kai-wen-Liao Chao-pang 21-16, 21-8.

Hon Jian-Vin Sean will face Singapore’s Terry Hee-Howin Wong in the last four.

There was no such luck for mixed doubles pair Tan Zhi Yang-Teoh Mei Xing, who went down 16-21, 21-17, 13-21 to Taiwan’s top seeds Wu Guan-xun-Lee Chia-hsin.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Badminton

Don’t count them out
Women shuttlers given chance to shine in Japan after 12-year wait
Daren takes online flak after Zii Jia’s shock defeat in Vietnam Open opener
12-year wait over as women shuttlers return to Asian Games
Rosman backs Pearly-Thinaah to bounce back at Asian Games
Online trolls turn on coach Daren after Zii Jia's loss
Eogene’s mental block exposed in Sukma loss to lower-ranked foes
Chong Wei offers Zii Jia a lifeline to turn his game around
Jin Wei’s ranking slide continues after another early exit
Chong Wei feels for struggling Zii Jia and keeps BAM door open

Others Also Read