Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, also known as the Minions, have to fight hard to make sure another loss doesn’t happen in their home country. The men’s doubles top seed made their way to the final round of the Indonesia Open 2021 that’s held in Badung, Bali on Sunday (27/11).
In the semifinals, the Minions won a straight game of 21-16, 21-18 over Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty. The match between these two pairs lasted for 44 minutes. This victory reconfirms that Gideon/Sukamuljo is unbeatable in their meeting record with Rankireddy/Shetty.
Today, the Minions will face Japanese pair Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi — a repeat of what happened at the final round of the Indonesia Masters 2021 last week. At that time, the Minions lost in a rubber game 11-21, 21-17, 19-21. It was the first time that the Minions lost against Hoki/Kobayashi.
The story needs to have a different ending this time, in the final of the Indonesia Open that provides a total prize of USD850,000.The Minions need to perform better against the Japanese duo who’s currently on fire.
Indonesia’s chance of winning a title is also open in the women’s doubles. Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalists Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu, the 2nd seed, made it to the finals. They will face Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida, the 4th seed from Japan. In two of their previous meetings, the Indonesia Masters 2020 and New Zealand Open 2017, Greysia/Apriyani had always come out as the winner.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, not a single player has been able to stop Singaporean player Loh Kean Yew. He’s just one step away from becoming a champion. In the semifinal, this unseeded player easily won over Rasmus Gemke from Denmark in a straight game 21-14, 21-7. However, to win the title in this tournament is surely not easy for him. Loh Kean Yew who's currently ranked #26 will face Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen from Denmark, who is also the 2nd seed. In the semifinal, Axelsen defeated the host’s representative Jonatan Christie in a straight game 21-19, 21-15. In three of their previous meetings, Axelsen always came out as the winner.
In the women’s singles, An Seyoung managed to repeat her success at the Indonesia Masters 2021 by going through to the final round. In the semifinal, this Korean player led the game 21-19, 21-19 over Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong. In the final, An Seyoung who’s the 4th seed will face Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand. In the semifinal, Intanon who’s the 2nd seed, defeated the 3rd seed PV Sindhu from India 15-21, 21-9, 21-14.
Previously, An Seyoung and Ratchanok had met two times and each time they defeated the other so their meeting record is currently at 1-1. However, looking at An Seyoung’s performance last week at the Indonesia Masters, there’s a good chance that the 19 year old player can gain victory for the second time in a row.
