Rexy is all smiles with his players’ steady move to top

PETALING JAYA: Rexy Mainaky’s recent promotion as the national coaching director may have come at the right time as Malaysia enjoyed one of their best weeks in badminton.

Just a month into his new role and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) players have smashed their way to three titles through doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in Denmark Open, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (Abu Dhabi Masters) and singles player Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (Indonesian International Challenge).

At the Asiad in Hangzhou last month when Rexy first took charge, Aaron-Wooi Yik saved the blushes by winning the bronze medal in Hangzhou.

Rexy gave due credit to his players.

“It’s an important win for Aaron-Wooi Yik … it’s their first World Tour title after trying many times. It will for surely boost their confidence,” said Rexy.

“They have won the world title and now, they are more consistent by reaching the semis and final. We hope they will still stay hungry after winning in Denmark. They will compete in the France Open next.

“It’s also good for Sze Fei-Izzuddin to stay consistent in the lower ranked tournaments to build their ranking.

Aaron-Wooi Yik are currently ranked fourth in the world, followed by Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (9), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (19) and Sze Fei-Izzuddin (24).

World No. 106 Aidil’s first win in Indonesia since joining the national team in 2018 is expected to help him move back into the top 100. n DENMARK OPEN

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles) First round: bt Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (Fra) 21-16, 21-18

Second round: Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) 16-21, 21-5, 21-15

Quarter-finals: bt He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu (Chn) 24-22, 18-21, 21-12

Semi-finals: bt Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den) 16-21, 21-15, 21-15

Final: bt Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana (Ina) 21-13, 21-17

ABU DHABI MASTERS

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men’s doubles)First round: bye

Second round: bt Callum Hemming-Ethan van Leeuwen (Eng) 21-10, 21-10

Quarter-finals: bt Bjarne Geiss-Jan Colin Voelker (Ger) 21-17, 21-16

Semi-finals: bt Daniel Lundgaard-Mads Vestergaard (Den) 23-21, 21-12

Final: Pharanyu Kaosamaang-Worrapol Thongsa-Nga (Tha) 18-21, 21-17, 21-12

INDONESIAN INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE

Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (men’s singles)

First round: bt Muhammad Reza Fajri (Ina) 22-20, 20-22, 21-10

Second round: bt Choi Ji-hoon (Kor) 16-21, 21-16, 21-18

Third round: bt Ryoma Muramoto (Jpn) 21-17, 21-19

Quarter-finals: Yohanes Saut (Ina) 21-17, 21-14

Semi-finals: bt Ikhsan Leonardo (Ina) 21-17, 21-11

Final: bt Keita Makino (Jpn) 21-15, 14-21, 21-9.