Qualifying to the Final, Rising Star Japan Praises Indonesia’s No. 1 Game

JawaPos.com-women’s doubles rising star Japan’s Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida performed exceptionally throughout the 2021 Indonesia Badminton Festival.

Matsuyama/Shida, who won the 2021 Indonesia Masters and 2021 Indonesia Open, advanced to the 2021 World Tour Finals final. The ticket was obtained after they defeated Indonesia’s number one women’s doubles and Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu.

Competing at the Bali International Convention Center & The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua, Saturday (4/12), Matsuyama/Shida beat Greysia/Apriyani in rubber game tight with a score of 21-14, 13-21, 23-21. This match runs for 1 hour 16 minutes.

In the match, Matsuyama/Shida did continue to take the initiative to attack from the beginning of the match. The attack that Matsuyama/Shida built was sweet to the point of winning game first with a score of 21-14.

On game second, the world number seven doubles lacked focus until it finally ran aground with a landslide score of 13-21. But on game third, Matsuyama/Shida rediscovered their best form. In an equally strong 21-21 situation, they managed to score two consecutive points and closed the win with a score of 23-21.

“In this match we learned from every previous game. We try to put out the best game, by trying to press slowly to come out as a winner,” said Shida as quoted from PP PBSI’s press release.

In this match, Matsuyama admitted that he was under a lot of pressure from Greysia/Apriyani. The player who was born on June 28, 1998 admits that he played less than optimally in attack and defense. “My punches were not optimal, so I was attacked a lot,” said Matsuyama.

Shida added that he admitted that he had been carried away by the pattern of the Greysia/Apriyani game in Indonesia game second and difficult to find the best pattern of play. Shida also said that in game third, they try to play aggressively to turn things around.

Matsuyama/Shida admitted that they were happy to be able to survive until the third week in Bali. They gave their appreciation to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold winners who played very well. “They played well this time, although they were a little less careful when playing long rallies,” said Matsuyama.

In the final, Matsuyama/Shida will face South Korean doubles Kim So-yeong/Kong Hee-yong. Kim/Kong qualified for the final because of the Bulgarian doubles Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva withdrew due to injury.

Facing Kim/Kong, Shida said he would appear all out. The reason is, after almost three weeks of competing in Bali, the two have not issued a full performance.

In addition, Matsuyama/Shida haven’t won from two meetings against Kim/Kong. “It’s been three weeks here, it’s time to go all out. Especially against Kim/Kong, must appear all out, ”Said Shida.

“It’s time for revans. We did everything in our power to fight Kim/Kong. Improve physical and power so that it can be maximized tomorrow, “said Matsuyama.