Live A Tiring Match For 68 Minutes, Jonathan Christie Passes To The Last 16 After Defeating Kean Yew

Jonathan Christie (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Jonatan Christie came out of the pressure of the rubber game in his second match in the men's singles preliminary round Group G of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics against Loh Kean Yew which took place at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, Tokyo, Wednesday, July 28.

The world number seven badminton player won with a score of 22-20, 13-21, 21-18 but had to undergo a grueling 68 minutes, as reported by Antara from the Tokyo Olympics official website.

The two athletes who previously had won one victory from Aram Mahmoud, a badminton player from the refugee team, played tight since the first game.

Jonathan and Kean Yew pressed each other and continued to exchange attacks when they got the chance. The 23-year-old Indonesian representative was also unable to block his opponent's blow.

Kean Yew carefully knows Jonathan's weakness, which is difficult to repel blows that are aimed at the chest. Jonathan also had to lose a number of points due to this strategy.

But Jonathan continued to apply pressure until finally securing the first game.

Entering the second game, Jonathan's game loosened up, making it easy for Kean Yew to gain the upper hand. A similar strategy by using punches that pierced back was played so that Jonathan did not move.

Jonathan was not able to catch up and was forced to give up the game points to draw 1-1.

In the decisive game, Jonathan raised the level of the game, which was not allowed by the 42nd ranked badminton player from Singapore.

Tight competition re-occurs, but Jonathan is more ready to repel Kean Yew's attack. Despite being overtaken, Jonathan was able to catch up and regain control of the game.

At match point 20-18, Jonathan responded to Kean Yew by hitting an unreachable smash.

This satisfying result ensured Jonathan came out as the winner of Group G by packing two preliminary round wins, and was entitled to advance to the round of 16.