Indonesia’s men’s doubles number one pair, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, won the China Open Super Series Premier 2017 title after defeating rivals Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen of Denmark 21-19 21-11.

The pair also is beat their Danish opponents 21-18 and 22-20 in the final last year.

Kevin and Marcus struggled in their first game, trailing 10-11. But the Indonesian shuttlers managed to catch up and sealed the first game 21-19 thanks to Kevin’s deciding smash to the opponent’s vacant right side that resulted in victory.

In the second game, they managed to lead from the first ball winning 21-11 without much resistance from their opponents.

“What a tight game to win. We needed to remain focus and undivided all the time. The opponents were shadowing us on the scoreboard all the way to the end, but thanks to God we were able to see that coming,” Marcus said following the victory at the Haixia Olympic Sports Center in Fuzhou, China, on Sunday.

“The second game was a bit easier as our opponents seemed to be fooled by their own emotions. That’s why they lost their rhythm and made so many mistakes.”

They have now faced each other six times with the Indonesian pair winning two of those encounters.

Marcus added that he and Kevin would study and analyze the opponent’s playing style in anticipation of future meetings.

“We will also analyze our weaknesses so we can improve our future performance,” he said.

Achmad Budiharto, the secretary-general of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), praised the victory, which was the pair’s fifth in the China Open tournament. He said they played consistently and patiently and that was why they could minimize mistakes during the match.

“They have been able to find their style and maintain the pace that suits them best. Above all, it is the consistency and their ability to stay patient that have contributed massively to their victory this time,” Budiharto told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Sportscaster and former national shuttler Yuni Kartika said Kevin and Marcus have been able to demonstrate maturity on the field. She added from a skills perspective, the pair had also managed to improve dramatically during the recent competition.

“Their biggest thing for them right now is to avoid getting injured,” she said.

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