Nibal and Naby Reach Yonex Italian Open Main Draw After Qualifying Success
Revival Sports and Maldives national badminton players Nibal Ahmed and Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq (Naby) made an impressive start to the Yonex Italian Open 2026, securing their places in the mixed doubles main draw with a convincing victory in the qualifying rounds.
The Maldivian pair defeated Italian duo M. Frank and P. Kopania in straight sets, 21-18, 21-12, booking their place in the Round of 32 of the BWF-sanctioned tournament.
Naby also enjoyed success in the women’s singles qualifiers, battling past Dutch player M. Dujindam in three sets. She claimed the opening game 21-15, dropped the second 15-21, before responding strongly to seal the decider 21-12, earning a place in the women’s singles main draw.
Meanwhile, Revival Sports’ campaign at the Czech International Future Series 2026 came to an end in the women’s doubles Round of 16. While in Italian Open, Naby and her sister Fathimath Nabaha Abdul Razzaq (Naba) pushed Czech player Fliglova and Estonia’s Marija Paskotsi all the way before narrowly losing 15-21, 22-20, 27-25 in a thrilling three-set encounter.
In the men’s singles qualifying rounds in Italy, Hassan Zayan Mohamed, Nibal Ahmed, and Hussein Zayan Shaheed Zaki (Zayan Zaki) were all eliminated. Hassan Zayan lost 21-7, 21-8 to Portugal’s A. Bernardo, Nibal was beaten 21-18, 21-17 by Portugal’s F. Felix, while Zayan Zaki went down 21-7, 21-9 against India’s A. Malik.
Revival Sports will have a busy schedule in the main draw on Friday. In women’s singles, Naby faces Ireland’s S. Flynn, while Naba takes on Romania’s V. Ginga in the Round of 32.
In men’s doubles, Nibal and Zayan Zaki will meet Italian pair A. Gurschler and Telfser, while Hassan Zayan and Mohamed Khalaf Imran face Germany’s D. Hess and S. Krax.
The mixed doubles competition will also feature two Maldivian pairings. Nibal and Naby will play Netherlands duo T. Stoffelen and I. Pthuizen, while Zayan Zaki and Naba take on France’s A. Tores and the Netherlands’ K. De Wit as Revival Sports look to continue their promising start at the Yonex Italian Open 2026.