Ami Afriatni

Indonesian shuttler Markis Kido. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Indonesian Siblings Pass on Malaysia Open

With the Malaysia Open Super Series set to begin on Tuesday, some of Indonesia’s best hopes for a title remain on the sidelines.

Six shuttlers pulled out of the year’s second top-flight tournament, three of whom are siblings — Markis Kido, Bona Septano and Pia Zebadiah Bernadet.

Markis and men’s doubles partner Hendra Setiawan withdrew as the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) had yet to clarify their status after they left the national team.

“We still haven't received an official letter from the PBSI announcing that we're already resigned from the national training camp, though we've already signed up for Malaysia,” Markis said on Sunday. “We agreed to withdraw from the tournament as it was the best way.”

Seeded third in Malaysia, Markis and Hendra faced a fairly easy path to the semifinals. Their biggest test would likely come in the last four against top-seeded Malaysians Koo Kean Keat and Tan Boong Heong.

Markis and Hendra turned professional after Markis’s health problems prevented him from following the national camp’s physical training program. His high blood pressure caused the duo to withdraw from the World Championships in August.

Their focus now turns toward the All England, which takes place March 9-14.

Bona, the younger brother of Markis, and men’s doubles partner Muhammad Ahsan pulled out after Bona was diagnosed with typhoid last week.

“He started to catch fever last Wednesday and doctor told him to have bed rest,” Ahsan said. “I hope he will get well soon as the All England is waiting.”

The pair was drawn to face top-seeded Koreans Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung in the first round.

The same day Bona fell ill, his younger sister Pia suffered a right knee injury while preparing for the Malaysia Open. The pain was too great, forcing Pia and mixed doubles partner Fran Kurniawan Teng to withdraw.

“That's too bad to know she got injured when we thought we were ready to compete. We just have to wait for her to get better first before starting preparation for the All England,” Fran said.

Following the withdrawals, Indonesia will have 11 entries in the Malaysia Open — three in men’s singles, two in men’s doubles, three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles. Men’s singles shuttlers Taufik Hidayat, Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso make their season debuts in Kuala Lumpur.

Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki and Rian Sukmawan received a rough draw in men’s doubles, opening against Malaysia’s Koo and Tan.
“We just have to play without pressure. I think my performance with Yonathan is getting better nowadays,” Rian said.

Fifth-seeded Alvent Yulianto Chandra and Hendra Aprida Gunawan, quarterfinalists at the Korea Open, are Indonesia’s other men’s doubles pair.

Anneke Feinya Agustin and Annisa Wahyuni will team up in women’s doubles for the first time in six months. Joining them in the draw are seniors Shendy Puspa Irawati and Meiliana Jauhari and professional duo Vita Marissa and Mona Santoso.

Mixed doubles pair Debby Susanto and Muhammad Rijal will make their first appearance, along with Korea Open semifinalists Flandy Limpele and Taiwan’s Chen Wen Hsing and second-seeded Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir.

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