TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has two representatives ready to fight at the 2014 Indonesia Open semifinal this afternoon. They are Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir in the mixed doubles category and Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan in the men’s doubles.
Hendra/Ahsan claimed their semifinal ticket after beating compatriots Markus Gideon/Markis Kido 21-13, 21-23, and 21-13. The pair is going to take on Kim Ki-Jung/Kim Sa-rang of South Korea in the semifinal. Ahsan wished not to be careless in playing against the fifth-seeded pair in their fourth meeting. Ahsan/Hendra wins two out of three head-to-head matches against the Korean. "Hopefully we will be able to defend our title this year," said Ahsan.
After successfully downed the world’s second seed Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock 12-21 and 8-21 yesterday, Tontowi/Lilyana will face China’s Xu Chen/Ma Jin in the semifinal match today. It will be the 13th encounter between two teams.
Tontowi said physical condition was the key to take on Xu Chen/Ma Jin. "So it is important to maintain the [physical] condition." Liliyana is hoping that full support from the mostly-Indonesian supporters will be able to pump-up the pair’s motivation. "We want to crack it; to win the Indonesia Open."
For Tontowi/Liliayana, Indonesia Open has been a particular challenge since the All England champion has never won at home.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
