Zaki Brings a Different Mindset to Open Macau

MACAU, WEDNESDAY – Indonesian men's singles badminton player, Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah, immediately competed in the Macau Open Super 300 tournament after becoming the junior Asian champion. Zaki brings a different mindset as his competitors are badminton players with more experience in the BWF World Tour arena.

Zaki became the men's singles champion of the 2025 Junior Asia Championship held in Solo, Central Java, from July 23 to 27. His competitors were fellow athletes aged 19 and under.

At the same level globally, Zaki became a semifinalist when competing in Nanchang, China, in 2024. He also contributed to Indonesia's victory as the world champion in the team category.

After becoming the best male singles player in the Asia region among athletes of his age, Zaki returned to the BWF World Tour tournament. The Macau Open, held from July 29 to August 3, is the third BWF World Tour tournament for the 18-year-old athlete after reaching the second round of the Thailand Masters and becoming a quarter-finalist at the Taiwan Open. Both tournaments are also classified as Super 300, the lowest level in the BWF World Tour tournament structure.

In the first round at the Macau East Asian Games Dome, Wednesday (30/7/2025), Zaki defeated Mads Christophersen with a score of 21-19, 21-16. Unlike other top players from Denmark, such as Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, Christophersen does not have a remarkable record. However, at the age of 27, Christophersen has more competitive experience in BWF tournaments.

Zaki uses his performance and the title of junior Asian champion as a source of confidence to compete in Macau. However, on the other hand, he tries to control his optimism so that it does not become excessive.

Uncontrolled self-confidence can lead athletes to think too far ahead in achieving their targets, causing them to lose focus during competitions. Zaki is making efforts to avoid this.

"My target here is to reach the quarter-finals or semi-finals, but most importantly, I want to showcase my best performance. Moreover, unlike previous championships, the opponents here are senior players," he said.

The next challenge for Zaki is the match against his senior and training partner at the national training center in Cipayung, Jakarta, Alwi Farhan. Alwi defeated the Malaysian player, Cheam June Wei, with a score of 21-16, 21-14.

Alwi and Zaki are not far apart in age, only two years. Zaki defeated Alwi in their previous encounter at the BWF tournament, specifically in the final of the Indonesia Masters Super 100 in 2024.

However, Alwi has more experience competing in the BWF World Tour tournaments since 2024 and has already participated at high levels, Super 750 and 1000. He also has experience facing top world players, such as Antonsen, Prannoy H.S., and Kunlavut Vitidsarn. This experience could be an advantage for Alwi in dealing with pressure during matches.

In addition to Alwi and Zaki, Indonesia has another men's singles player competing in the Macau Open, namely Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and Yohanes Saut Marcellyno. Saut, who has been playing since the qualifying round, defeated Prannoy with a score of 18-21, 21-15, 21-16 and will face Zhu Xuan Chen in the second round.

The victory in the first round, which took place on Wednesday, was achieved by three mixed doubles teams, one of which was from the competition among fellow players from the Indonesian national training center. Adnan Maulana/Indah Cahya Sari Jamil defeated Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari with scores of 20-22, 21-18, 21-10. The pairs that also advanced to the second round are Amri Syahnawi/Nita Violina Marwah and Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.

The day before, three Indonesian men's doubles pairs won in the first round. They are Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan/Rahmat Hidayat, and Muhammad Putra Erwiansyah/Daniel Edgar Marvino.

The only representative of Indonesia's women's doubles also won. Apriyani Rahayu/Febi Setianingrum defeated the fifth seeds, Chen Qing Chen/Keng Shu Liang, with a score of 21-13, 21-19. Apriyani and Chen are Olympic gold medalists who are currently paired with younger players. Apriyani won the women's doubles gold at Tokyo 2020 (together with Greysia Polii), while Chen secured gold in Paris 2024 alongside Jia Yi Fan.

"Chen Qing Chen is a player with very good quality. She is currently mentoring her juniors. Her aura on the court remains the same, although it now feels calmer," said Apriyani about one of her tough rivals when playing alongside Greysia.