This came after Muhammad Haikal tested positive for Covid-19 just hours before the Malaysian pair were to step into the court for their final showdown against Dutch duo Ruben Jille-Ties Van Der Lecq.

The unseeded pair’s withdrawal effectively handed Jille-Van Der Lecq the championship title.

“The Patatimo Boys’ valiant run came to an end today after they conceded a walkover following Haikal Nazri’s positive Covid-19 test. Get well soon, Haikal,” the Badminton Association of Malaysia shared in a Facebook post today.

Terengganu-born Wan Arif and Muhammad Haikal of Kelantan had qualified for the final after they edged home pair Eloi Adam-Julien Maio 21-18, 21-16, in their semifinal match yesterday.

The world No 103 had pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets earlier with a 19-21, 24-22, 21-19 victory against world No 30 pair, Frenchmen Christo Popov-Toma Junior in their opening round match.