While the European challenge ended at the quarterfinals stage, the home fans will back their two remaining pairs.
Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek had delivered a sparkling performance as they took out the world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh/ Sapsiree Taerattanachai yesterday. However, the Dutch pair was unable to replicate their stellar form. They tamely lost to the unseeded Indonesians Rinov Rivaldy/ Pitha Haningnyas Mentari 21-14, 21-18. Given the withdrawal of the top European athletes from the Super 500 event, the semifinals will be an all-Asian affair
Delight for Indonesia
The mixed doubles pair will be joined by the likes of Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan and Fajar Alfian/ Muhammad Rian Ardianto tomorrow. The men’s doubles spearheads were untroubled in the quarterfinals but face trickier opponents tomorrow.
The Daddies will take on the young unheralded Chinese duo Liang Wei Keng/ Wang Chang, who outlasted the world champions Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi 21-13, 18-21, 21-18 in an absorbing affair. The Indonesia Masters champions, on the other hand, face the Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia/ Soh Wooi Yik.
Moreover, the Indonesian women’s singles ace Gregoria Mariska Tunjung played some of her best badminton in a long time. Having earlier lost eight consecutive times, she now defeated the world champion Akane Yamaguchi for the second time in two weeks. The Japanese player conceded the match 25-23, 15-21, 21-10.
Another Indonesian, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, stepped up. With the men’s singles title for anyone’s taking at the moment, he took his chances against the more illustrious compatriot Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. He won 11-21, 21-16, 21-17 to set up a semifinal against the Chinese Lu Guangzu.
Big win for Jomkoh/ Paewsampran
Supak Jomkoh/ Supissara Paewsampran defeated the All England champions Yuta Watanabe/ Arisa Higashino. While the fatigued Japanese lacked the edge in their usually sharp game, the Thais kept it steady to secure the victory. They won 23-21, 14-21, 21-18 and have a great chance to reach the finals as well.
Tan/ Thinaah put on a show
The home favourites Pearly Tan/ Thinaah Muralitharan played a brilliant attacking game to keep the otherwise cool Indonesians Apriyani Rahayu/ Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti constantly under pressure. While the Malaysians had lost to the new pair in Indonesia, they made up for the loss 21-18, 21-17 at their home ground today. The duo cannot rest easy anytime soon, since up next are the two-time world champions Chen Qingchen/ Jia Yifan.