National shuttler Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin advanced to the next round of the Swiss Open after coming back from one set down to defeat Scott Evans of Ireland 18-21, 23-21, 21-11 in 52 minutes at the St. Jakobshalle Badminton Center in Basel last night.
The 24 year-old will face Indonesia’s Muhammad Bayu Pangisthu in the second round of the Swiss Open later today with the hopes of bringing Malaysia all the way to the final.
In another first round match, Zulfadli Zulkiffli joined Iskandar Zulkarnain in the second round after easily bringing down Algeria’s Adel Hamek 21-11, 21-9 in less than half an hour.
The American-born shutter has been touted as the nation’s next big thing and he will have a tough time proving himself to the country when he faces World No. 7 Chou Tien Chen.
Soong Joo Ven ensured that three singles player will feature in the second round of the Swiss Open after he defeated home favourite Anthony Dumartheray 21-10, 21-16 in 25 minutes. He will face Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei in the second round match today.
However, Chiang Jiann Shiarng was sent packing after losing to India’s Ajay Jayaram 8-21, 17-21. He was joined by the women’s singles player, Sannatasah Saniru, who failed to qualify to the first round after being brought down by Chen Hsiao Huan 12-21, 6-21.
Datuk Lee Chong Wei decided to pull out from the Swiss Open a week ago after embarrassing himself at the first round of the All England Championship in Birmingham.
Other posts by Prashant Kharbanda
