Men’s Doubles Pair Ready to Seek Redemption Following Japan Open Flop

Mohammad Ahsan (left) and Hendra Setiawan (right. (Photo Courtesy of PBSI)

Top men’s doubles pair Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan are seeking to redeem themselves in the BCA Indonesia Open 2014 after failing to defend their title at last week’s Japan Open Superseries.

The reigning world champions are still reeling from the disappointment of losing to South Korea’s Lee Yong-dae and Yoo Yeon-seong in the Japan Open final, but  both are ready to make up for their mishap at the $750,000 Jakarta tournament that kicked off on Tuesday.

“We had so much to learn from our defeat as we prepared for the Indonesia Open. We hope to clinch our first title since we were paired in 2012. We are ready for that,” Hendra said.
The tournament’s top seeds will face Denmark’s Mads Conrad Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding in the first round.

Indonesia also has high expectations for Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, who secured their third All-England title in March, cementing them as the country’s primary hope for a title.

“In addition to Ahsan and Hendra, Tontowi and Liliyana are hoped to clinch the mixed doubles title and end the country’s title drought at the Indonesia Open,” said Indonesia’s team manager, Ricky Soebagdja. “This is their chance to prove themselves as world-class shuttlers.”

Additionally, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) expects the junior members of the national team to step up their game and follow the example set by 18-year-old Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, who — paired with  Arya Maulana Aldiartama and Alfian Eko Prasetya — secured a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Badminton Championships of 2013 and 2012 respectively.

With teammate Greysia Polii, Kevin earned a spot in the mixed doubles main draw by defeating Malaysian Mohd. Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid and Soong Fie Cho, 21-11, 16-21, 24-22, followed by a 19-21,21-18, 21-15 win over compatriots Fran Kurniawan and Shendy Puspa Irawati.

By Ami Afriatni on 08:16 pm Jun 17, 2014