Wan Arif and Mohd Faiq Pin Hopes on Left-Handed Edge at Malaysia Super 100

Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Mohd Faiq Masawi are pairing up as a left-handed men’s doubles combination at the Malaysia Super 100 in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, starting next Tuesday, October 13, according to a report in The Star. The seventh seeds are scheduled to face China’s Lin Yifan and Yang Jiayi in the opening round, marking the debut of a rare tandem built on shared tactical traits and a coaching directive.

Left-handed tactics against conventional pairs

Double left-handed pairings remain an uncommon sight on the international badminton circuit, where coaching systems typically pair right-handers with left-handers or rely on two right-handed players. Wan Arif believes this stylistic quirk will create immediate difficulties for opposing teams during their opening matches in Johor.

“I think one advantage is that our opponents might get a little confused,” Wan Arif told The Star. “Usually, they face right-right or right-left combinations. But with both of us being left-handed, maybe that can be an advantage for us.”

The Malaysia Super 100 is the first stop on a three-tournament stretch for the new duo. Following their campaign in Iskandar Puteri, Wan Arif and Mohd Faiq are slated to compete at the Indonesian Masters from October 20 to 25, followed by the Kaohsiung Masters from November 10 to 15.

“For these tournaments, we just want to give it a try first, and I also want to improve my own game,” Wan Arif said.

Coaches task Wan Arif with guiding junior player

The partnership came together following discussions between team coaches and the players.

“This is also a responsibility given to me by the coaches,” Wan Arif said. “They told me to try playing with him and, if possible, guide this junior player so he can experience competing at a higher level. I hope he can give his best and not be afraid when he is on court.”

Wan Arif faces roster shifts and tournament exits

The formation of the new pair follows a turbulent period for Wan Arif, who experienced multiple roster adjustments. He previously played alongside Yap Roy King, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 16 before the pair split. Subsequent matches alongside Kang Khai Xing yielded first-round exits at the China Open, Taiwan Open, Korean Masters, and China Masters.

The partnership with Kang also missed several tournaments across Europe due to rankings that fell short of entry requirements. Reflecting on the instability, Wan Arif acknowledged that the constant shifts unsettled his rhythm before he found perspective through discussions with teammates and coaches.

“Of course, I felt unsettled and thought about it a lot,” Wan Arif said. “लेकिन after thinking it through, I realised this is not something that only happens to me. Other players go through it too. I also didn’t keep it to myself. I spoke to the coaches and senior players about my situation, and they gave me a lot of encouragement.”