TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s mixed--double shuttlers Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir and men’s double Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan advanced to the 2015 Malaysian Open semifinal. The world’s highest level tournament, which is being held at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, offers Rp6.4 billion cash prize.
Ahsan/Hendra claimed their semifinal ticket after beating Japanese Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa in three games 10-21, 21-13, 21-12. The Indonesian doubles have extended their leading run against the Japanese to 7-0.
Tontowi/Liliyana joined their compatriot after rolling pass England’s Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock 21-17, 12-21, 21-13. Tontowi/Liliyana needed 49 minutes to take down the British by rapid tempo and accurate smashes.
On semifinal later today, Ahsan/Hendra are set to play Denmark’s Mathias Boe/Cartsen Mogensen who won over Indonesia’s Anggga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwandi 21-23, 21-14,11-21 at the quarter final, while Tontowi/Liliyana China’s Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei.
MASRUR (KUALA LUMPUR)