JAKARTA Jonathan Christie successfully defeated China Taipei's singles, Su Li Yang, in the round of 16 of Japan Masters 2023 at Kumamoto Predictural Gymnasium, Thursday, November 16, 2023.
The Indonesian men's singles played fiercely until the rubber game with a score of 19-21, 21-11, and 22-20.
The victory brought the 2018 Asian Games gold winner to qualify for the 2023 Japan Masters quarter-finals.
Jonathan looked difficult in the first game. Plus the windy field conditions made him unable to perform optimally.
"The opponent has read my pattern of play. Earlier, the opponent was also able to carry out attacks several times. It must be admitted that his attacks were good too," he said.
"Meanwhile, I myself was less calm in using the technique of hitting and strategy. That way, the opponent would be easier to use his attacks and strategies," said Jonathan.
Amazingly, Jonathan was able to get out of pressure. One of the reasons he had to rise from the loss of the first game was the motivation to maintain Indonesia's hopes.
Even so, Jonathan's revival did not make him reach points easily. He was forced to face a pretty tight match in the third game after securing the second game.
He was three times behind his opponent before securing his victory.
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"Earlier, 17-20 were left behind in the third game. My strategy was only to focus on using the punches from the front as much as possible by not giving the opponent the opportunity to attack easily," said the athlete who is familiarly called Jojo.
Jonathan will next face the toughest test. He will meet the first seed of the Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) tournament.
Previously, Jonathan and Axelsen had clashed 11 times. From the meeting record, Jojo lost nine times and only won twice.
"To face tomorrow's match, I want to rest first. I want to take a break because today's match is also not easy. I want to calm my mind first," said Jonathan.
Jonathan is the second representative of Indonesia to reach the quarter-finals of this Super 500 BWF level event. Previously, the first ticket was secured by the women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
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