Beating Malaysian Doubles, Apri/Fadia Win Hong Kong Open 2023

Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

The wait for the Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia pair to win the title ends at the Hong Kong Open 2023. In the final, the mainstay of Indonesia defeated the Malaysian pair Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan in a tight match for three games, 14-21, 24-22, 21-9.

Appearing in the first match of the Hong Kong Open final at Hong Kong Coliseum, Sunday (17/9) afternoon, Apri/Fadia had to fight for one hour 13 minutes against Pearly/Thinaah. In the first game, Pearly/Thinaah, who was the sixth seed, immediately played aggressively.

The Malaysian pair's strategy was successful after being able to lead up to ten points, 10-5 over Apri/Fadia. Despite trying to get up and catch up, Apri/Fadia, the seventh seed, had to admit the toughness of the Malaysian duet, 14-21.

Entering the second game, the Indonesian pair were reluctant to dictate the Malaysian duet as in the first game. The fight between the two pairs went tighter and chased each other until the score was 8-8.

Pearly/Thinaah who tried to speed up the tempo by appearing more aggressive were able to get four points in a row. Left four points, Apri/Fadia tried to get up and produce results. The score finally returned to a draw on 13-13 and then 14-14.

The match was fierce after that with a score that continued to balance until 19-19. Apri/Fadia had only needed one point to finish the second game when the score was 20-19, but again the score became a 20-20 draw. After going through a fierce battle, Apri/Fadia managed to win the second game with a 24-22 victory.

Winning in the second game, made Apri / Fadia enthusiastic. They immediately stepped on the gas at the start of the third game and took a 7-0 lead first. They further away from the Malaysian pair with a score of 11-2 in the last game interval.

After the break, the Indonesian pair did not give the Malaysian duo the opportunity to develop the game. Pearly/Thinaah, who seemed tired of getting points, and trailed 5-17 from Apri/Fadia. Far seed, Apri/Fadia finally finished the match with a score of 21-3 to win the Hong Kong Open 2023 title.

With this result, Apri/Fadia ended their title fast after winning the last Singapore Open last July 2022. Indonesia itself still has the opportunity to add to the Hong Kong Open 2023 title through Jonatan Christie in the men's singles number and the Leo/Daniel pair in the men's doubles sector.