Zulfadli moves into unchartered territory to join Chong Wei in third round

Former World Junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli moved into unchartered territory in his maiden World Championships by advancing to the third round after beating Ireland's Scott Evans 21-16, 21-13 at the Istora Senayan, here today.

Zulfadli joins seasoned campaigner and former world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei who had to dig deep into his reserves to beat 12th seed Marc Zwiebler from Germany 21-14, 17-21, 21-8 in three sets.

The 2011 World Junior champion, now 22, will face Wei Nan from Hong Kong tomorrow for a place in the quarterfinals of the prestigious championships.

"I am delighted to have advanced to the third round in my first World Championships...Alhamdulillah," said Zulfadli.

Chong Wei meanwhile, took about an hour to overcome Zwiebler who showed tremendous fighting spirit and resistance, especially in the second set which he won 21-17.

"I lost my focus in the second game and had to fight my way in the third. Tomorrow I will have to improve my play, be focused and rectify the mistakes," he told reporters after his match.

Chong Wei will now face China's Wang Zhengming tomorrow for a place in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Malaysian women's doubles pair Lim Yin Loo/Lee Meng Yean lost to Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Gresya Poli from Indonesia 21-17, 13-21, 11-21 in three sets.

After winning the first set, the Malaysian pair were a bundle of nerves in the second and clearly looked rattled by the hostile home fans who rooted behind their shuttlers, further boosting their confidence in the match.