Tekuk Shi Yuqi, Jonathan To The 2023 Indonesia Masters Final

Jonathan Christie. (Photo: Ulfa Gusti Utami / VOI)

JAKARTA JAKARTA - Men's singles Jonatan Christie ensured that he reached the final of the Indonesia Masters 2023 after winning against the men's singles Shi Yuqi. Jonathan locked the final match for the match after winning three games 21-13, 15-21, and 21-19 at the Istora Senayan Stadium, Jakarta, Saturday, January 28, 2023. This is the first final of the 25-year-old athlete at Istora after the 2018 Asian Games, where he came out as champion.

In addition, this is Jonathan's sixth win over Shi Yuqi of their ten meetings as well as revenge after he lost their last meeting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I'm happy, of course, for the first time playing the final at Istora, besides the Asian Games. Then I can beat Shi Yuqi too. Finally I can reply at Istora after he won over me at the Olympics. However, the struggle is not over yet," Jonatan said at a press conference.

After playing tight at the start of the first game, Jonathan had to be willing to see his opponent lead 11-9 at the interval. However, nine consecutive points after successfully brought Jonathan back to lead 18-11.

Shi Yuqi had held back the owner of the 2018 Asian Games gold medal by adding two more points. However, three consecutive points after which Jonathan managed to close the first game.

At the beginning of the second game, it was Shi Yuqi's turn to take over the successful game to lead 7-1 over his opponent. Jonathan then slowly started to get up and cut the gap to four points at the time of the break.

Jonathan's attempt to make the score twins really couldn't go well. A hard smash he did, but got stuck on the net then forced the game into the third game.

Jonathan came from three points behind at the start of the third game to take a 9-8 lead. However, Shi Yuqi produced three consecutive points to excel at rest.

The twin scores were then presented 13-13, 14-14, and 16-16. Shi Yuqi had time to hold back two match points before having to admit his opponent's superiority in the deciding game.

Jonatan's escape to the final made Indonesia's hope of ending the fast for the men's singles title at the Indonesia Masters in the previous two editions open. The last time Indonesian men's singles won this event was 2020 through Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

In tomorrow's final, Jonathan will face victory from Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo against Hong Kong's singles Ng Ka Long Angus. The two players had not played when this news was published.