Gregoria Mariska Didn't Expect To Overthrow Akane Yamaguchi In 27 Minutes

Indonesian women's singles, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. (Doc. PBSI)

JAKARTA - Gregoria Mariska Tunjung did not expect to win two straight games over women's singles world number one Akane Yamaguchi in the first round of the Malaysia Open 2022. She won in just 27 minutes.

Gregoria won two games with the same score 21-14 at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. This was his second win from 10 meetings with the Japanese representative.

"I thought that even though winning today would have to be with more effort by playing three games," said Gregoria after the match in a statement received from PBSI.

The only victory that Gregoria got over Yamaguchi previously occurred at the 2018 Asian Games. At that time, the badminton player from Wonogiri struggled to beat Yamaguchi in a three-set fight.

After that victory, the majority of Gregoria was recorded to have lost in two straight games against his rival. Except at the Indonesia Masters 2020 event, where he could fight in three games.

"I also didn't expect Akane to play below her level. In the last few tournaments, I have seen that even though he doesn't win, he always loses three games,” said the 22-year-old badminton player.

In the match against Gregoria, Akane really hasn't found her best performance yet. He recorded only a little resistance in the second game by only getting one chance to identify the score.

"But, maybe there is a slight advantage because the opponents in the first game have not been able to maximize. So can't put pressure on me. He ended up not being able to progress his game. Then with the victory I won in the first game, in the second game I was more confident," said Gregoria.

In the last 16, Gregoria will meet Chinese representative Wang Zhi Yi, who got a ticket for the second round after overthrowing his compatriot He Bingjiao. On paper Gregoria has a win-lose record, 1-0.

"In the next round, we definitely want to be better because the opponent is not easy. Want to do more. For step-by-step targets, first, "said Gregoria.