Challenging draw for Indonesian players in the Singapore Open Super Series 2011 – Badminton News
The draw of the Singapore Open Super Series is quite challenging for Indonesian shuttlers, as they are set to face the main contenders of the title in the opening round of the event.
In the Men’s Singles category, defending champion, Soni Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia will be playing against Bao Chunlai of China, who is the seventh seed in the championship. In their previous eight head-to-head meetings, Chulai is clearly leading the table
with six victories, whereas, Sony emerged as the winner on two occasions.
Since his victory in the Singapore Open Super Series 2010, Sony lost his form and is still struggling to find momentum. The Indonesian is currently ranked at the 34th position in the Men’s Singles world rankings, which are conducted by the Badminton
World Federation.
Simon Santoso of Indonesia will open his campaign against sixth seed, Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam. The Indonesian has never lost to the Vietnamese in their previous two meetings. However, Tien Minh has improved a lot and the encounter will be superb fight
to watch out.
Santoso said, “[Nguyen] is a good and determined shuttler who covers the court well,” the world No. 10 said on Monday. “It will be a tough match.”
In the Mixed Doubles category, Indonesia has better chances to win the medal as Tantowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir are ready to contest in the event. Lilyana has recovered from an elbow injury, which forced her to miss the Sudirman Cup 2011. The couple clinched
the title of the India Open Super Series 2011, which was held in India, last month.
While talking about her injury, Lilyana said, “I feel good after resting my elbow for about a month. We’re looking for our second Super Series title this year.”
Another couple in the Mixed Doubles, Pia Zebadiah Bernadet and Fran Kurniawan Teng, will also be a bright prospect for Indonesia as the pair were the runner-ups in the India Open.
Kurniawan and Zebadiah are set to meet the Chinese couple of Qing Tian and Tao Jiaming in the opening round. It will be a challenging match for the Indonesians to beat the competent Chinese duo.
Kurniawan said, “Our opponents might be tough, but we’ll play with more determination.”
Despite a tough draw for their side in the tournament, Indonesian shuttlers are quite determined to play to their full potential in the Singapore Open and earn glory for their country.
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