Ami Afriatni
Indonesian Doubles Pairs Carry On Into Malaysia Quarterfinals
Hendra Aprida Gunawan continued flying the flag for Indonesia on Thursday during a tournament filled with unimpressive showings by his compatriots.
A former national team shuttler, Hendra reached the quarterfinals in men’s doubles and mixed doubles at the Malaysia Open Super Series.
Hendra and mixed doubles partner Vita Marissa eased into the last eight with a 21-10, 21-18 defeat of Taiwan’s Lin Yu Lang and Yang Chia Chen. The Indonesians broke away in the first game after a 6-all tie, setting up a quarterfinal against China’s Tao Jiaming and Zhang Yawen.
Tao and Zhang advanced after top-seeded Koreans Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung withdrew. Hendra and Vita won their only previous match against the Chinese pair, triumphing 22-20, 21-17 in the French Open Super Series semifinals last lear.
“That was not an easy win [in Paris]. They are good shuttlers, so we have to be careful and play our best,” Vita told the Jakarta Globe by text message.
Hendra returned three hours later with men’s doubles partner Alvent Yulianto Chandra.
The fourth-seeded Indonesians won 21-16, 21-15 against Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng of Malaysia in a 26-minute match.
Another former national team shuttler, Flandy Limpele, also reached the quarterfinals in mixed doubles. Teaming up with partner Chen Wen Hsing of Taiwan, the duo advanced with a 21-14, 21-10 defeat of Malaysia’s Tan Wee Kiong and Woon Khe Wei.
Flandy and Chen will meet Chen Hung Ling and Chou Chia Chi of Taiwan in the quarterfinals. Chen and Chou defeated sixth-seeded Thais Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul 21-17, 21-10.
Women’s doubles pair Annisa Wahyuni and Anneke Feinya Agustine saw their run in Kuala Lumpur come to an end after losing 21-17, 21-10 to Taiwan’s Chou and Yang Chia Chen.
Badminton
