Badminton

'Patatimo' duo on a roll

Men's doubles Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Haikal Nazri are confident of breaking into the world's top 50 this year.

Given their current form, it is certainly not impossible for the 20-year-olds, who are fondly known as the 'Patatimo' duo, having hailed from the East Coast.

On Saturday, the world No 103 Arif-Haikal reached their first final this season after defeating local pair Eloi Adam-Julien Maio 21-18, 21-16 in the semi-finals of the Orleans Masters in France.

Arif said: "To be honest, we were not expecting much as we were up against the tournament favourites (Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov) in the first round.

"However, we knew we had it in us when we defeated them. We are really proud and happy to come so far here.

"Our target remains the same and that is to break into the world's top 50 this year. We are also in the Sea Games squad, so hopefully, we will get to sustain this form in Vietnam next month."

Last year, Arif-Haikal announced their arrival on the senior circuit in style by winning three titles from five final appearances.

Arif-Haikal, who were quarter-finallists at the 2019 World Junior Championships, also believe they have a strong chance of playing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Yap Roy King-Teoh Mei Xing's fine run in the mixed doubles event came to an end in the semi-finals on Saturday after losing 21-16, 21-15 to Indonesia's Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto-Lisa Ayu Kusumawati.

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