INDONESIA OPEN 2010 Day 1 – Dangerous Qualifiers

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent. Photos: Yves Lacroix, Badmintonphoto (live)

As expected, the ‘seeds’ from the mixed doubles qualifying rounds were ignored and the established names emerged instead, though in interesting new combinations.  Get ready for more early round upsets as Greysia Polii / Tontowi Ahmad mix it up in the bottom corner of the main draw with three European pairs, including World and Singapore Open Champions Laybourn/Rytter Juhl and Mateusiak/Zieba take on Kim Ki Jung / Jung Kyung Eun.  The Koreans blew four match points against unheralded locals Didit Juang Indrianto / Delis Yuliana before taking it home 16-21, 21-15, 23-21 to set up a date with the Hong Kong Open champions.

“Tomorrow Tantowi and I are going to play all out,” said Greysia Polii after her qualifying matches.  “Communication is the key.  Although I have more experience, I’d never be bossy.  I always ask him what he really wants to show in the next game, and I also tell him about what I want.”

Markis Kido / Lita Nurlita (pictured above) made sure Singapore’s Neo/Saputra could not do any damage this week as the Indonesians themselves earned the right to meddle with the top Koreans in the main draw, Lee Hyo Jung and Shin Baek Cheol, a scratch pairing of opposing Swiss Open finalists.

Kido said of his new mixed partnership, “This is our second Super Series. Sometimes I’m feeling little bit weird when I see Lita next to me, because usually I have Hendra.”

Hendra Setiawan, meanwhile, is paired up with Anastasia Russkikh (pictured) the the pair will challenge another Korean pair in two-time Asian Championship runners-up Kim/Yoo.

“We’ll do our best tomorrow, all out,” Hendra said.  “We are getting used to each other, keeping up good communication throughout the match.”

In the men’s singles, both India Open Grand Prix Gold finalists made it through to the main draw and Gurusaidatt RMV will take on Chan Yan Kit of Hong Kong while Alamsyah Yunus (pictured) will face veteran Malaysian Wong Choong Hann, after coming through a 15-21, 21-8, 21-12 victory over Korea’s Hong Ji Hoon.

“After I lost the first set, I focused on trying the rallies going,” said Yunus after his second win.  “It really worked.  I think I’ve got better stamina than him [Hong Ji Hoon].  After winning the India Grand Prix, I have more confidence.  I’ll do my best against Wong Choong Hann tomorrow.”

In the women’s singles, a tired-looking Tai Tzu Ying came through a 21-23, 21-15, 24-22 nailbiter with compatriot Chen Hsiao Huan.  Things won’t get any easier for the Singapore Open finalist, however, as she faces a past champion in women’s doubles on Wednesday and in singles, will take on fellow qualifier Rosaria Yusfin Pungkasari.  Down in the same quarter are also Maria Kristin Yulianti and surprise addition Ana Rovita (pictured below).

“I have had almost no preparation, since I’ve been on waiting list for this tournament, and I found out that I was going to participate in this Super Series at a day before,” said the 19-year-old Rovita.  “I have no idea about my rivals tomorrow.  I have nothing to lose.”

In the men’s doubles, two easy wins put Cho Gun Woo / Kwon Yi Goo just one match away from a rematch with Malaysia’s Choong/Lee, whom they beat early last week in Singapore. 2009 World Junior Championship runners-up Berry Angriawan / Muhammad Ulinnuha earned the right to face Singapore Open champions Fang/Lee in the first round while last week’s surprise quarter-finalists Danny Bawa Chrisnanta / Chayut Triyachart of Singapore need wait no longer for their second shot at Olympic champions Kido/Setiawan as they go up against the Indonesian pair in the first round on Wednesday.

Women’s doubles had the only qualifying draw that in no way resembled a main draw, populated as it was with young hopefuls intent on a Super Series shot, but few household names.  Gebby Ristiyani Imawan / Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah fought for a 19-21, 21-13, 22-20 victory over compatriots Gozali/Putri but, instead of being rewarded with an audience with Sinapore Open champions Yao/Sari, the Singapore pair’s withdrawal leaves the two 18-year-olds with the less daunting task of taking on Fu Mingtian / Vanessa Neo in the first round.

For complete results from Day 1 of the 2010 Djarum Indonesia Open Super Series, CLICK HERE

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