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Kazakhstan, Thailand grab titles at Batam Open
Men’s pair Dyachenko Alexandr and Sidorenko Alexey of Kazakhstan and women’s pair Yupa Phokongplay and Tanarattna Udomchavee of Thailand grabbed titles at the 2nd L
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en’s pair Dyachenko Alexandr and Sidorenko Alexey of Kazakhstan and women’s pair Yupa Phokongplay and Tanarattna Udomchavee of Thailand grabbed titles at the 2nd L.A. Lights Batam Open Beach Volleyball Tournament 2011 on Turi Beach in Nongsa, Batam, on Saturday.
The two teams are new winners in the US$30,000 event, in which players from 13 countries participated.
Alexandr and Alexey, who are the Kazakhstan’s Team 1 and first seed in the tournament, earned the trophy after beating their compatriots, Team 2’s Dmitriy Yakovlev and Alexey Kuleshov, 21-15, 21-19 in 35 minutes of play.
Alexandr said that the victory was the second for Alexey in three tournaments so far this year.
“I’m so happy. This is our second victory after the first one in the AVC Beach Tour Iran Kish Island Open last month,” Alexandr told reporters after the match.
In the recent 12th Asian Beach Volleyball Tour in Thailand, Alexandr and Alexey only managed to finish in fifth place.
Meanwhile, Phokongplay and Udomchavee upset defending champions Tsimbalova Irina and Maskhova Tatyana of Kazakhstan 21-15, 21-16 to take the trophy.
In the first set, the Thai pair managed to ward off Irina’s and Maskhova’s attacks, successfully locking the Kazakhstanis at 15 points to finish the first set 21-15.
In the second set, the Thai duo showed a high level of confidence, leaving weary Kazakhstanis with low points. The Kazakhs found their match but failed to level up.
Within a few minutes, the Thais led 9-5, while the Kazakhstanis seemed to have trouble catching up, and finally the Thais sealed the bout 21-16 in 65 minutes of play.
Phokongplay said that she was thrilled to nail another victory after grabbing the Thailand Open title recently. “It is my second winning with my new partner,” said Phokongplay, who coupled up with Udomchavee early this year Sam O’dea and Ben O’dea of New Zealand finished third in the men’s side, beating compatriots Edwin O’dea and Brendon Heat in a rubber 21-13, 14-21, 21-19.
Indonesia’s Team 3 I Wayan Indrwan and Muhammad Bastomi finished seventh after beating Iranians Parviz Farrokhi and Agha Mohammad Salagh 21-13, 21-12.
“Within another year, I believe they could play equally against world players if they get the chance to participate in various international tournaments,” said Indonesian head coach Slamet Mulyanto.
Meanwhile in the women’s games, China’s Ma Yuanyuan and Ding Jingjing outclassed Malaysia’s Shun Ting and Teck Hua 21-19-21-19.
Indonesia’s Team 1 Ayu Cahyaning Siam and Yokbeth Manisala Kapasiang finished sixth after trashing Jessiel and Lydia of New Zealand 21-13, 21-9.
Indonesia’s Team 2 Fitri Wijayanti and Dhita Juliana finished seventh after losing 21-17, 21-14 to Thailand’s Kulna and Radarong.
