AXIATA CUP Finals Day 2 – And the Garuda flies into the sunset…

Indonesia’s A-team, Garuda, took the Axiata Cup final, as expected, giving the crowd some top badminton action and their younger compatriots some much-needed experience.

By Kira Rin, Badzine Correspondent.  Photos: Arief Rachman (live)

Day 2 opened with a rematch of singles, with Simon Santoso (pictured below) playing his opponent of yesterday, Tommy Sugiarto.  Compared to yesterday, Tommy was in control of his pace, only dashing to finish a rally if needed.  However, even that was not enough to even challenge Simon, who repeated yesterday’s performance to finish the game in 2 straight games.

With one one-sided singles match down, Garuda’s world no. 6 pair Mohammad Ahsan and Bona Septano faced off against scratch pair Alvent Yulianto Chandra and Angga Pratama (pictured below).  Already assured of their team’s victory, Ahsan and Septano went easy on their opponents, smashing only when there was an obvious chance.

It was clear that this was an opportunity for Angga to learn from the doubles experience of his veteran partner, a former world #1.  With Chandra’s advice, Angga was able to hit through the gaps and smash winners.  At 20 all in the 1^st game, Chandra and Pratama were able to hold their nerves and took the game point at the first opportunity.

From the 2^nd game onwards, Septano and Ahsan went out full power, to give a taste of the top.  Finally, at the decider, it was back to coaching Angga.  However, by then, Angga had almost lost his nerves and committed errors, and it was only thanks to Chandra’s coverage and a lucky net shot that they managed to net the match.

A great king is one who is not only powerful but also benevolent.  Against his 18-year-old compatriot Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, Taufik held back on his smashes, letting Shesar have a fighting chance to continue rallies and learn.  At times, the king gave Shesar a taste of the challenges that awaited him at the very top, playing his signature backhands and net play.  Even so, it was Shesar’s elementary mistakes that gifted Taufik the match.

Being the gracious monarch he was, Taufik congratulated his junior on a match well played and even gave the service a judge a kiss on the cheek.  To celebrate his team’s victory, he even threw out shirts to the joyous crowds who had come to revel in awe of his status.

Results:
Indonesia Garuda 2, Indonesia Rajawali 1
Simon Santoso bt Tommy Sugiarto 21-16, 21-10
Mohammad Ahsan / Bona Septano lost to Alvent Yulianto Chandra / Angga Pratama 21-23, 21-12, 13-21
Taufik Hidayat bt Shesat Hiren Rhustavito 21-14, 21-15