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AKARTA: Indonesian mixed doubles pair Nova Widianto and Vita Marissa were eliminated in the first round of the Malaysia Open Super Series in Kuala Lumpur by the tournament’s fifth-seeded pair, Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing, on Wednesday.

Nova and Vita, who last paired together in 2004, almost upset the Chinese duo in the second game of the rubber-game match of 21-16, 18-21, 21-19.

“Not bad for our first performance as we had only a week of preparation,” Nova said on Wednesday as quoted by Antara news agency. The pair will continue their journey at the US$1.2 million Korea Open Super Series Premier next week.

Another arduous battle was also lost at the men’s singles competition by Dyonisius Hayom Rumbaka after a more than an hour-long, three-game match finishing 21-14, 13-21, 21-17, against South Korean Shon Wan Ho. The Korean will meet world number two Taufik Hidayat, who defeated Park Sung-hwan of South Korea 17-21, 21-9, 21-16.

Men’s singles competitor Simon Santoso prolonged his lifeline after winning a gruelling match 21-19, 6-21, 5-21 against Chinese youngblood Du Pengyu. On Thursday, Simon faces tougher a Chinese rival, Chen Jin, the fourth seed in the tournament.

Indonesia lost two mainstays in the women’s singles, as Maria Febe Kusumastuti and Aprilia Yuswandari surrendered in straight matches. Febe lost to Pai Hsiao Ma of Taiwan 21-18, 21-18, while April lost to seventh seed Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong 21-19, 21-14.

Yip will face Indonesia’s only remaining representative, Lindaweni Fanetri, as Linda defeated Chan Tsz Ka of Hong Kong 21-13, 21-14. — JP