Men's Doubles Fastens The Results Of The 2022 World Tour Finals, But Consider All Opponents Equally Heavy

Ahsan / Hendra (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian men's doubles badminton team was satisfied with the results of the 2022 BWF World Tour Finals group stage draw which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, last Monday.

"I'm quite satisfied with the draw results, but all opponents are equally heavy. The point is, how come I have to be ready myself first," said men's doubles badminton player Hendra Setiawan as quoted by Antara, Tuesday.

Based on the draw results, the pair Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan took second place and were in Group B with Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yi (China), Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (Malaysia), and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Denmark).

Meanwhile, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, who was the first seed, joined in Group A with Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Malaysia), Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi (Japan), and Choi Sol-Gyu/Kim Won Ho (South Korea).

"From the beginning, we usually see first who the opponent is and then make a strategy. In addition, field conditions also have an effect, so it must be anticipated," said Hendra about his preparation.

While Fajar/Rian have been wary of all potential opponents in Group A considering the equal strength of the opponent. Given that the World Tour Finals is one of the prestigious badminton tournaments, it is also certain that all participants have provided themselves with careful preparation.

"Eight men's doubles who participated in the World Tour Finals were an extraordinary couple. So it's all the same, no one is better off meeting this, it's better to meet it. It's the same strength evenly," said Fajar.

Men's doubles coach Aryono Miranat also expressed his vigilance against opponents in Group A and B. Aryono estimates that all matches will be passed by the pair nicknamed FajRi and The Daddies with weight.

"As we know the strength in the men's doubles is evenly distributed. There is nothing to say is light, everything is heavy, so we have to be extra vigilant. This draw is already the best, it's just a matter of how in the field the players can fight optimally," coach Aryo said.

Aryono also wants his students to be immediately technically and non-technically ready when entering the field.

"Fajar/Rian and Ahsan/Hendra have often met their potential opponents, so later there will be discussions to remind again how at the last meeting, how the right strategy and so on," concluded Aryono.

The following is the record for meeting Fajar/Rian and Ahsan/Hendra with their potential opponents in the 2022 BWF World Tour Finals group stage.

Fajar/Rianvs Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Malaysia)Rekor pertemuan: 6-2 Pertemuan terakhir: babak semifinal Denmark Open 2022 (Fajar/Rian menang 21-16, 22-20)

vs Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi (Japan)Rakekor pertemuan: 2-3 Pertemuan terakhir: babak final Malaysia Open 2022 (Fajar/Rian kalah 22-24, 21-16, 9-21)

vs Choi Sol-Gyu/Kim Won Ho (Korea)Rekel meeting: 1-0 Last meeting: round 16 Denmark Open 2022 (Fajar/Rian won 21-17, 21-17)

Ahsan/Hendravs Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yi (China)Rekor pertemuan: 0-1 Pertemuan terakhir: babak 32 besar Indonesia Open 2022 (Ahsan/Hendra kalah 17-21, 22-24)

vs Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (Malaysia) Runkang pertemuan: 7-4 Pertemuan terakhir: babak final Kejuaraan Dunia 2022 (Ahsan/Hendra kalah 19-21, 14-21)

vs Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Denmark) Runkel meeting: 6-1 Last meeting: Thailand Open 2022 quarter-finals (Ahsan/Hendra lost 13-21, 15-21).