TEMPO.CO, Copenhagen - The Indonesian men's single shuttler Tommy Sugiarto is one step closer to repeat his father's achievement by breaking into the semifinal of 2014 BWF World Championship. Tommy, whose father won the title in 1983, overcame Eric Pang of Netherlands 22-20, 21-19 at the Ballerup Super Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark, yesterday.
The match went all tense and Tommy got slammed in the early minutes of the first game as Pang reached the game point first 20-19. By playing more calmly during the rest of the game, Tommy managed to control the second game. Pang did several unforced errors before he gave up 22-20.
"When I was left behind in the first game, I thought: Whatever happens, I have to win this game since this is very important to me," said Tommy as quoted by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI) official site. "Then I tried to play more relaxed."
Tommy is set to go through the semifinal challenge today against the world’s number two Chen Long from China. By records, Chen Long is superior with six wins and one loss. Their last encounter in the Indonesia Open Super Series on June 2013 ended with unseeded Tommy winning over Chen Long at the first round 21-11, 21-18.
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