Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro surges into Men’s Singles semi-final of the Chinese Taipei Open
Indonesia’s experienced shuttler, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, finally came back on the right track after having skipped many tournaments due to an injury. The Indonesian reached into the semi-final after defeating higher ranked, Hafiz Muhammad Hashim of Malaysia in
the Men’s Singles quarter-final of the Chinese Taipei Open 2011, at Sinjhuang City in Chinese Taipei, on Friday, September 9.
Kuncoro has been suffered with an injury which pushed his world ranking down to Number 93 in the Men’s Singles world standings. However, he has almost recovered from the injury and is playing better badminton now. He played well against World Number 42,
Hafiz Hashim and won the quarter-final battle in three games of 50 minutes.
It was a contest of giants as both shuttlers have an extensive experience of playing at international stage for more than 10 years. Nobody was the favourite for this match as both shuttlers have same level of skill and experience. However, it was Sony who
managed to win the fight in the deciding game by playing positive badminton throughout the final set.
Hafiz Hashim opened the first game in a wonderful way and dominated the rallies most of the time throughout the set. Kuncoro failed to place his strokes in the gaps as his opponent was playing superb defensive strokes. The Indonesian made many mistakes by
playing hasty strokes and lost the first set with a margin of 15-21, in 19 minutes.
Stung by the loss of the first game, Kuncoro made a striking comeback and won the second set with a big margin. By playing attacking badminton, Kuncoro finished the second game by taking only 15 minutes with the margin of 21-14.
The deciding set was identical to the second game when the Indonesian maintained his control over the pace of the rallies and finished it in 16 minutes with the margin of 21-14. Kuncoro won this Men’s Singles quarter-final battle with a 15-21, 21-14 and
21-14 margin.
In the semi-final, Kuncoro will be up against compatriot, Tommy Sugiarto, who defeated another Malaysian, Chong Wei Feng in the last-eight stage.
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