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Hopefuls Ricky, Richi succumb to Chinese world No.1
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Indonesian mixed doubles pair Riky Widianto and Richi Puspita Dili pose for the press after losing to world number one Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China. (JP/Callista Anggun Wijaya)
I
ndonesia’s mixed doubles hopefuls Riky Widianto and Richi Puspita Dili failed to extend their rally into the quarterfinal of the BCA Indonesia Open Super Series Premier 2016 on Thursday, but they can pride in the tight match they played against the more illustrious world number one Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China.
Playing a rubber match of 21-18, 16-21, 13-21, the unseeded young shuttlers admitted that they played impatiently after nailing the first game.
“We had a shaky defense in the second and third games, in contrast to our solid play in the first game,” Richi said after the match, explaining further that they did not focus in the last game.
Richi said they were inexperienced in dealing with the urge to win as quickly as possible. Therefore, in future matches, they should train themselves to be calmer and consistent, like the Chinese pair.
Despite the disappointment, the Indonesian pair was grateful that their performance had improved compared to their showdown last year when they lost easily, 15-21, 19-21 to the same opponents at the Dong Feng Citroen Badminton Asia Championships in 2015.
“This is the first time we reached the third game against them. Previously we lost in a straight-set match,” Richi said, adding the pair had their work cut out for them to reach the caliber of play exhibited Liliyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad, who won All England in three consecutive years in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Separately, Zhang Nan and Yun Lei praised the Indonesian doubles team for keeping up with them.
“They were able to keep up with us. They could play fast,” said Zhang Nan, who won the London Olympics gold medals in 2012 and World Championships in 2014 and 2015, with Zhao Yunlei.
They said further that their persistence helped them come out victorious. After dropping the first game, they increased their pace to put pressure on the Indonesian pair to win the match.
In the quarterfinals, the Chinese pair will take on another pair of young Indonesian players, Annisa Saufika and Alfian Eko Prasetya, who secured their quarterfinal slot after thrashing Dutch duo Selena Piek and Jacco Arends 21-17, 21-8. (dmr)
