Alfian and Annisa admitted that they found it difficult to maintain their focus in the second game, but they gained their composure in the third game to win the game.

“They [the English pair] apparently struggled playing against a draft in the court,” Annisa told reporters after the match.

After dropping the second game, the coach instructed them to change their tactic, to play close to the net and to not throw the shuttlecock too high to avoid drafts in the Bung Karno indoor stadium, Annisa said.

The tactic worked as they put pressure on the English spouses throughout the third game.

Annisa was also grateful that her knees had improved since sustaining an injury during the Djarum Superliga Badminton tournament last year.  

In the next round, the Indonesian pairs will meet Dutch pair Jacco Arends and Selena Piek.

Both of them promised to give their best performance.

“Our biggest opponent is ourselves. All players are qualified to play here,” said Alfian, adding that he hoped to reach the final round.

Meanwhile, England’s husband-and-wife badminton duo expressed their disappointment over the defeat.

“They played OK but I think we played very bad,” Chris said, stressing that the wind factor did not bother them. (dmr)

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