VOINews, Hongkong: Indonesia's men's doubles pair, Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, have made a significant leap forward by securing their spot in the final of the 2024 Hong Kong Open. Their victory against compatriots Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana in the semifinals on Saturday at the Hong Kong Coliseum raised questions about the future of Indonesia’s dominance in men’s doubles.
Winning in straight sets, 13-21, 17-21, Sabar and Reza demonstrated a formidable combination of tactical discipline and aggressive play. This victory is particularly notable as it represents not just a win over familiar opponents but also a potential shift in Indonesia’s badminton hierarchy, where younger pairs are rising to prominence.
Leo Rolly Carnando, reflecting on the match, admitted that Sabar and Reza outplayed them. "We have to acknowledge that Sabar/Reza played better today. Their front-court play was more daring, which allowed them to gain more attacking opportunities," Leo said in a statement from Jakarta. This candid admission sheds light on the tight competition between Indonesia’s men’s doubles teams.
In a sport where attacking opportunities often decide matches, this semifinal displayed how critical precision and consistency are in badminton. “Whoever controls the attack often controls the match,” Leo added, emphasizing the importance of seizing offensive chances.
Bagas Maulana echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Sabar and Reza’s composure and accuracy. "They played very well and were consistent throughout the tournament. Their touches on the shuttle were precise and directed, making it hard for us to recover," said Bagas. Despite the loss, he remains optimistic and aims to improve for the upcoming China Open next week.
This rivalry between Indonesian pairs underscores the depth of talent within the country. While Leo and Bagas have been seen as future stars, Sabar and Reza's rise to the final indicates a growing challenge for established pairs. “Alhamdulillah, we reached the semifinals again, but there’s still much to improve,” said Bagas, as he and Leo set their sights on the next tournament.
As Sabar and Reza advance to the final, Indonesian badminton fans are reminded of the evolving landscape of men’s doubles. Could this be the dawn of a new era where emerging players challenge the dominance of long-established pairs?
While men’s doubles garners much of the attention, other Indonesian athletes are also vying for spots in the finals. In the men’s singles, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting faces Denmark’s Olympic gold medalist Viktor Axelsen, while Jonatan Christie takes on China’s Lei Lan Xi. On the women’s side, Putri Kusuma Wardani will battle Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in the singles semifinals.
The 2024 Hong Kong Open is shaping up to be a critical stage for Indonesia’s shuttlers, with promising performances across the board. Fans eagerly await the final results, hoping to see their athletes bring home more titles./ANTARA/VOI
