# Iskandar Zulkarnain off to a winning start in Almere
# Soon Huat and Teck Zhi also clear first hurdle with Zulfadli
Malaysian youngsters Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin is enjoying his good stint in Europe when he upset India’s 14th seed Anand Pawar in the first round in the USD50,000 Yonex Dutch Open Grand Prix in the city of Almere on Wednesday.
The Polish Open champion sent the Indian packing with a 21-10, 21-15 win in 34 minutes. In the second round the Malaysian will be up against England’s Rhys Walker. The Englishman won his match against Samuel Hsiao of Germany 21-15, 21-13.
Former world and Asian junior champion Zulfadli was also on the winning path when he made short work of Frenchman Lucas Claerbout with a 21-11, 21-10 win in 37 minutes.His second round opponent is Finland’s Ville Lang.
National shuttler Goh Soon Huat was too strong for Indonesia’s Adi Pratama in the first round and advanced with a 21-16, 21-13 win in 35 minutes. Waiting for him in the second round is Germany’s Kai Schaefer.
Soo Teck Zhi battled Lucas Carvee for 37 minutes before registering a 21-18, 21-16 win. The former Asian junior champion faces a tough second round match against 10th seed Pablo Aimar of Spain.
Two other Malaysians, however, fell by the wayside in the first round. Zulfadli’s brother Zulhelmi was beaten Taiwan’s Chen Chun-wei 21-12, 20-19 (retired). Chiang Jiann Shianng fell 9-21, 15-21 to Lithuania’s Kestutis Navickas.
SELECTED RESULTS (FIRST ROUND)
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (Mas) beat Anand Pawar (Ind) 21-10, 21-15
Zulfadli Zulkifli (Mas) beat Lucas Claaerbout (Fra) 21-11, 21-10
Goh Soon Huat (Mas) beat Adi Pratama (Ina) 21-16, 21-13
Kestutis Navickas (Lth) beat Chiang Jiann Shiarng (Mas) 21-9, 21-15
Chen Chun-wei (Tpe) beat Zulhelmi Zulkifli (Mas) 21-12, 20-19 (rtd)
Soo Teck Zhi (Mas) beat Lucas Carvee (Fra) 21-18, 21-16
