Suara.com – Indonesian men’s doubles Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan said the roar from the audience at Istora Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (24/1/2023), made them rise to success in securing tickets to the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 500 Indonesia Masters 2023.
Henda/Ahsan had to fight hard at the start of the match against the Japanese pair Akira Koga/Taichi Saito. The pair, nicknamed The Dadies, even fell behind in the first game before turning things around with a 17-21, 21-19, 21-10 win.
Indonesian men’s doubles badminton players Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan compete against Japanese men’s doubles Akira Koga and Taichi Saito in the qualification round for the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2023 at Istora Senayan, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (24/1/2023).
“Earlier we were quite far behind in the second game, due to the support from the audience and the sound of our names being shouted, so we kept trying and didn’t want to give up,” Hendra said in a press conference after the match, as published by Antara.
It was indeed not easy for Hendra/Ahsan to pass Koga/Saito. In the first game, tough competition ensued. Both partners chase numbers. The tight score lasted into the interval.
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After that, Hendra/Ahsan seemed to lose focus by making a number of mistakes. They also had to leave the first gym trailing 17-21.
In the second game, the situation is still the same. Hendra/Ahsan, who were left behind in the first game, appeared determined to equalize. But it’s not easy.
On the other hand, Koga/Saito also continued to press. They even had a 17-13 lead. However, as an experienced pair, Hendra/Ahsan tried to play calmly and as a result they were able to reduce the lag to 16-17.
Even so, the mistakes made made Hendra / Ahsan fall behind 16-19 again. Again, the former world number one pair was able to equalize to 19-19 to turn things around to 21-19.
“This first match was not easy. The opponent played quite well, in the first and second games we were not able to bring out our abilities,” said Ahsan.
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Moving on to the decisive game, Hendra/Ahsan proved their quality. They won four consecutive points at the start of the game. Then continued to excel until the interval with a score of 11-6.
This condition continued until they finally closed the third game with 21-10 while ensuring the second half by eliminating Koga/Saito in the 57-minute match. “We have to be calmer and hold the front zone because the wind here is quite strong,” said Hendra.
With this victory, Hendra/Ahsan are also waiting for the winner of the match between Indonesian representatives Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin who will compete against the pair from South Korea Ko Sung Hyun/Shin Baek Cheol.
“We want to enter the semifinals. But tomorrow’s opponents will not be easy because we can fight fellow Indonesian representatives Leo/Daniel or the South Korean pair,” concluded Hendra.
With this victory, four Indonesian men’s doubles representatives successfully passed the first round. Previously Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto also advanced to the second round defeating Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan with a score of 18-21, 21-14, 21-10.
Then Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon who first qualified for the second round after defeating Kang Min-hyuk/Seo Seung-jae in two straight games 21-17, 21-12.
Apart from that, Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh. Reza Pahlevi Isfahani advanced to the next round after eliminating French men’s doubles Ruben Jille/Ties Van Der Lecq 21-18, 19-21, 21-19.
