INDONESIA OPEN 2015 QF – Polii and Maheswari begin assault on Great Wall

Nitya Krishinda Maheswari / Greysia Polii downed one Chinese pair and have two more to go while Jan Jorgensen, Lee/Yoo, Fischer Nielsen/Pedersen are all still looking for consecutive titles at the BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier.

By Mathilde Liliana Perada and Naomi Indartiningrum, Badzine correspondents live in Jakarta. Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Indonesian hope for finals

Super bright cheers of spectators in the Istora Senayan were exactly what was needed to inject vigour into Nitya Krishinda Maheswari / Greysia Polii (pictured).  Although the first game began with a tight score, the Incheon Asian Games gold medallists were able to win the first game by a comfortable 21-15 over Malaysia Open champions Luo Ying / Luo Yu.

At the beginning of second game, the Chinese pair was superior and eventually moved out to a commanding 17-12 lead, but the Indonesian veterans were able to turn things around with a spectacular 7-point run.  The twins kept fighting, but the world #7 managed to finish the game with a thrilling 23-21 finish.

“After the first game, I got the momentum.  In the second game, I become more confident,” said Greysia after the match

This miraculous victory managed to improve their winning record to 2-1, after earlier in the Malaysia Open 2015 they have been defeated by these twins.  In the semi-finals, Maheswari/Polii will be against the mighty Yu Yang, playing in her first tournament with new partner Zhong Qianxin.

Two Danes still on track to defend

Jan O. Jorgensen, the winner of the Indonesia Open men’s singles title in 2014, performed with confidence and finally became the one who could stop home favourite Jonatan Christie (pictured above), in two straight games.

“I had prepared my strategy to face Jorgensen before the match, but it didn’t work at all,” said Christie after the match.  “He was also able to read the way I play well and it seemed like he became more motivated when he heard the local supporters cheering for me.”

Jorgensen must face Germany’s Marc Zwiebler, before he can ensure that he will again step into the final round.  Zwiebler was successful in his match against last year’s beaten finalist, Kenichi Tago of Japan.  Indonesia’s other young hope, Anthony Ginting, was beaten by Japan’s other quarter-finalist.

The other Danish defending champions, Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christina Pedersen (pictured), will mark their third Indonesia Open final in a row if they can beat Denmark Open 2014 winners Xu Chen and Ma Jin.  They had a tricky first game but a comfortable second against Korea’s Ko Sung Hyun / Kim Ha Na.

Ko Sung Hyun will, however, be involved in one of the two internecine matches on semi-finals day, as he and Shin Baek Cheol will play yet another rematch of their World Championship final, against compatriots Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong.  Defending champions Lee/Yoo recorded their fourth straight victory over number #5 seeds Chai Biao / Hong Wei.

This will be the fourth rematch for the two Korean pairs since the Worlds, which was the only encounter when Ko Sung Hyun / Shin Baek Cheol (pictured) came out on top

“We often play together and already knew each other’s weaknesses.  We hope, we can do our best tomorrow,” Shin Baek Cheol explained.

Parupalli aims for first Superseries final, in a Premier; Saina knocked down

During his career, Kashyap Parupalli (pictured below) has never even reached the final round of any Superseries tournament.  His first semi-final was five years ago and his first Superseries Premier semi-final was right here in Jakarta in 2012.

In fact, that 2012 final four appearance also involved his only previous victory over his opponent in Friday’s quarter-final, the mightly Chen Long.  Three years ago, Chen was ‘only’ the world #3, but Kashyap himself was a lowly world #26 back then.

Once again in 2015, the Indian, now facing a formidable world #1 Chen Long, has managed to reach the Indonesia Open semi-finals after beating Chen Long 14-21, 21-17, 21-14.  Parupalli perform convincingly in the second and third game.  Moreover, his confidence made it look quite easy to beat the Chinese ace.

“I am very happy because I’m in the semi-final of the Indonesia Open.  Defeating world number one player is not very important because tomorrow’s match will be more important as I will be competing for a ticket to the final,” said the world #12 after the match.

Kashyap’s team-mate, Saina Nehwal can usually be expected to put her name in any Superseries semi-final line-up, but on Friday in Jakarta, it was foiled by Wang Shixian.  China’s Wang beat Nehwal 21-18 through rubber game drama.

In the first game, Saina showed several times her fascinating net play, making Wang repeatedly unable to return the shuttle.  The second- and fifth-seeded players were equally unwilling to give up.  In the second and third games, Saina was overwhelmed by Wang’s attacks.

“Tonight’s match was very tiring but the support of the spectators makes me more enthusiastic,” said Wang.

Wang Shixian will next face Ratchanok Intanon, whom she last met at the same stage in last year’s edition of the Indonesia Open.  Intanon beat out local hope Lindaweni Fanetri (pictured), while Maria Febe Kusumastuti also went down, in a nailbiter to Japan’s Yui Hashimoto.

Click here for complete quarter-final results