KUALA LUMPUR: It was a good day at the office for several Malaysian men's singles shuttlers on the opening day of the inaugural Super 100 KL Masters on Tuesday.
Newly crowned Indonesia International Challenge champion Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin marched into the second round with reasonable ease after defeating United States' Mark Shelley Alcala 21-13, 21-14 at the Titiwangsa Stadium here.
Aidil, who belongs to the same batch as world No. 15 Ng Tze Yong, had earlier told Timesport that his short-term goal was to first break into the world's top 70.
"My journey to the top is still a long way to go. I'm grateful to win my maiden international title at the Indonesia IC, but I will need to continue improving.
"My target is to break into the top 70 first and then play in bigger tournaments," said Aidil.
Another Malaysian shuttler, Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, also made it to the second round after defeating Australia's Teoh Kai Chen 21-8, 21-15. Shaqeem will face another Taiwanese shuttler Wang Po Wei in the next round.
Former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao and other notable men's singles players such as Cheah June Wei and Indonesia's Tommy Sugiatro received first-round byes.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming shuttlers like Eogene Ewe and Teh Jin Hong also cleared the qualifying rounds to make the tournament proper.
The second half of first round matches will continue on Wednesday.