JAKARTA - Badminton player Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah secured a ticket to the second round of the 2026 Indonesia Masters. He then got a tough challenge because he had to meet with the sixth seed from Singapore, Loh Kean Yew.
Ubed, a nickname for Ubaidillah, qualified after defeating India's Kiran George in a straight two-game match 21-17 and 21-14 at the Senayan Stadium, Jakarta, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
"Alhamdulillah, I was able to be given a victory without a rubber game. Even though in the first set I was behind, I kept trying to be calmer in the first game," said the 18-year-old badminton player.
Ubed was forced to fight desperately in the first game because he was 4-10 behind. However, the badminton player from Sampang, Madura, was able to cut it down to only two points at the interval.
Kiran George then widened the point gap to 13-10, but Ubed immediately scored four consecutive points to take the lead. A chase for points occurred after that, but Ubed could not be stopped after the score was 15-15.
"There must be a burden, but thank God I can overcome it, too. It was tense at first, maybe the first time playing at Istora, but fortunately I was able to calm down, I was able to overcome all of that," said Ubed.
The badminton player from PB Djarum is the first male singles player to secure a ticket to the second round. Indonesia can still add a male singles ticket through Alwi Farhan, Muhamad Yusuf, and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
Furthermore, against Loh Kean Yew was their second competitive clash. When the first meeting in the quarterfinal of the individual event of the 2025 SEA Games, Ubed won in two straight games.
"Tomorrow against Loh Kean Yaw. I've met him too. Don't be careless even though you've won. Just focus tomorrow because all players have their own opportunities," said Ubed.
In addition to Ubed, the second round ticket was also secured by the mixed doubles pair of Dejan Ferdinansyah/Bernadine Anindya Wardana. The pair qualified after defeating Jimmy Wong/Lai Pei Jing from Malaysia.
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