INDONESIA MASTERS 2014 – Turning silver into Grand Prix Gold

Prannoy H.  S., Adriyanti Firdasari, and Widianto/Dili each won their second final of the year, at the Yonex-Sunrise Indonesian Masters 2014, after losing a first as all three took gold at a Grand Prix Gold for the first time.

By Nadhira Hafsha.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

Adriyanti Firdasari (pictured below) successfully pocketed her first tournament victory in nearly 8 years, since the Dutch Open in November, 2006.  It was her second Grand Prix Gold final of the year, as in the Malaysia Grand Prix Gold, she lost to the China’s Yao Xue.  This time, in her home ground she trounced fellow Indonesian, 16-year-old Ruselli Hartawan

The older Indonesian sailed through the first and second game taking it easily.  Firdasari got a great start as she took a huge lead 17-9 in the first game and defended this to take the first game 21-14.  There was not much difference in the second game as the 37^th-ranked Indonesian led comfortably from the beginning and won the second game again by 21-14.

The only non-Indonesian player in today’s match was India’s Prannoy H. S. (pictured above), who finally managed to win his first ever Grand Prix Gold title, converting in a final at the second attempt in as many weeks.  The last man standing from India was successful in his battle against the home hopeful.  Firman Abdul Kholik had a good tournament on his debut at the Indonesian Masters as he flew into the finals after dispatching numerous seeded players.  The 17-year-old Indonesian failed to trouble the strong the 5^th-seeded Indian, who never fell behind, taking the match 21-11, 22-20 in a brisk 42 minutes.

In the women’s doubles field, Vita Marissa / Shendy Puspa Irawati managed to overcome their fellow Indonesians, Keshya Nurvita Hanadia / Devi Tika Permatasari with a 23-21, 21-13 score line.  It was the second Grand Prix Gold title in the young partnership of these two veterans, who now stand at #50 in the world rankings.  It was also Vita Marissa’s second title in two weeks after won the Vietnam Grand Prix title with Mohammad Rijal last week.

But the 33-year-old Vita Marissa couldn’t manage to keep her mixed doubles winning streak with partner Mohammad Rijal as they were defeated by the two younger compatriots, Riky Widianto / Puspita Dili Richi.  The second seeds were edged out by the top-seeded Indonesian pairing who had themselves posted runner-up finishes at the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Gold, and even Superseries level in the past two years before finally making this their first major title together.

The showcase match, and last on court, was the men’s doubles final, another showdown of the fellow Indonesian, Markis Kido / Gideon Markus Fernaldi (pictured) against the youngster Selvanus Geh / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo.  It was partial revenge for Kido/Fernaldi as they lost in the semi-finals at the same event to Selvanus and Ronald Alexander last year.

The game started off very evenly, with a high level from the outset, but Markis Kido, the more experienced shuttler in this match, started to control the match with powerful smashes and strong defense, and the top seeds eventually took the first game 21-17.  The second game was a bit tighter as the French Open champions blew two match points and were forced to play the decider.

The third game saw the favourites take a strong early lead as they attacked hard, capitalising on the struggle that Geh and Sukamuljo had in finding their length.  Markis and Gideon upped their game and won the third game to take their first title of the year.

Final results
WD: Shendy Puspa Irawati / Vita Marissa (INA) [3] beat Keshya Nurvita Hanadia / Devi Tika Permatasari (INA) [4]  23-21, 21-13
MS: Prannoy H. S. (IND) [5] beat Firman Abdul Kholik (INA)  21-11, 22-20
WS: Adrianti Firdasari (INA) [3] beat Ruselli Hartawan (INA)  21-14, 21-14
XD: Riky Widianto / Puspita Richi Dili (INA) [1] beat Muhammad Rijal / Vita Marissa (INA) [2]  21-18, 21-19
MD: Gideon Markus Fernaldi / Markis Kido (INA) [1] beat Selvanus Geh / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) [5]  21-17, 20-22, 21-14

Click here for complete results