Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —
Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2023 India Open after defeating Ren Xiang Yu/Tan Qiang 16-21, 21-18, 23-21.
At the start of the first game after a draw at 2-2, Kevin/Marcus were more often in a pressured position in the early half of the first game. Ren/Tan were able to lead 6-3 which continued to be 8-4.
The first game interval was successfully closed by Ren/Tan with a six-point lead at 11-5.
After the interval, Kevin/Marcus began to put pressure on their opponents. They can win point after point and keep getting close to the Ren/Tan numbers.
Kevin’s backhand smash at the net then brought the points gap to just two points at 12-14.
However, the intense pressure from Ren/Tan again made Minions far behind. Ren/Tan were able to take off and lead five points at 18-13.
Ren/Tan finally won a game point at 20-15 after winning a drive against Kevin/Marcus.
Entering the second game, Kevin/Marcus led 4-1 at the start of the game. The position was level at 5-5 but then the Minions were able to win three consecutive points.
With an 8-5 lead, Kevin/Marcus were even more under pressure. As a result, Ren/Tan won point after point and turned to lead 9-8. Ren/Tan then won two points, 11-9 at the interval.
After the interval, Kevin/Marcus tried to catch up. These efforts paid off at 13-13.
But Kevin’s punch that came out made Ren / Tan return to the lead 14-13. Ren/Tan then moved further away by three points at 17-14.
Smes Kevin reduced the lag to 15-17. Kevin/Marcus’s pressure resulted in the next point so that they were only one point away, 16-17. The score returned to a draw at 17-17 because the opponent’s shot failed to cross the side of the field.
But Ren/Tan took the 18th point first by taking the advantage in a long rally that presented 69 shots.
The score was level again at 18-18 after Marcus’ punch to the baseline was unable to read by the opponent.
The Minions finally took the lead at 19-18 after Tan Qiang’s smash hit the net. Smes Marcus, which Ren Xiang Yu couldn’t return, made the Minions win a game point at 20-18.
Kevin’s cross that outwitted China’s double finally made them win 21-18 in the second game.
Entering the deciding game, Kevin/Marcus trailed 2-5 at the start. But the Minions were able to react well and snatch three points to level the score at 5-5.
After that the score was a draw up to 9-9. However, after that Ren/Tan were able to win two consecutive points and lead 11-9 at the interval.
At the interval, Ren/Tan were able to gain two points and move away at 13-9.
Kevin/Marcus then came back closer at 12-13 after winning three consecutive points. Minions showed solid defense when they took the 12th point.
The match was stopped after that moment because Tan Qiang had received treatment from the medical team.
Ren/Tan continued to maintain their advantage until 15-13. Their attacks can break through the Minions’ defense. The victory in the rally then made Ren/Tan gain the next point and the score changed to 16-13.
The match was stopped because Marcus had asked for a medical break for treatment on his left leg.
Kevin/Marcus’ strategy of choosing to survive and exploit Tan Qiang to do smes bore fruit. Tan Qiang made a mistake and the score changed to 14-16.
Marcus’ slick serve then resulted in points that made the score 15-16. The points were level again at 16-16 after Kevin hit the shuttlecock in front of the net.
Ren/Tan moved away again through the aggressiveness of their attacks which resulted in two consecutive points. 18-16 for Ren/Tan.
Kevin/Marcus then got the 17th point after Ren Xiang Yu’s smash hit the net. The score was equal again at 18-18 through Kevin’s punch in the middle of Ren Xiang Yu and Tan Qiang.
Minions finally led 19-18 after Marcus’s smash couldn’t be returned perfectly by the opponent.
The score then changed to 19-19 because Ren/Tan’s attack succeeded in producing points.
Marcus’ backhand shot scored because Tan Qiang couldn’t block it perfectly. 20-19 for Minions.
The score then was equal because Ren Xiang Yu could read the direction of the shuttlecock Kevin released. 20-20.
Ren/Tan turned around to win match points at 21-20 because their attacks again effectively yielded points. Kevin’s return service then thwarted the opponent’s match point. Score draw 21-21.
Marcus’ foresight in placing the shuttlecock towards the baseline resulted in a match point at 22-21. The game was finally won by the Minions with a score of 23-21 after Kevin’s punch could not be returned by the opponent.
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