China Masters 2023: Gregoria Eliminated in the Second Round

JAKARTA – Gregoria Mariska Tunjung was eliminated in the second round of the 2023 China Masters after losing to former world champion from Japan, Nozomi Okuhara.

Gregoria's journey stopped after he lost three games 12-21, 21-15, and 16-21 in 62 minutes at Shenzhen Bay Gymnasium, China, Thursday, 23 November 2023 morning of Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

“The results are not satisfactory. I really hope I can play optimally here. "It must also be acknowledged that the opponent played correctly," said Gregoria after the match.

In the first game, Gregoria did not perform according to expectations. He fell behind on the first point and had no chance of catching his opponent again after leveling the score at 1-1.

Then in the second game, Nozomi came back with five consecutive points to lead 8-6. However, Gregoria responded with four consecutive points and after that she was not caught again.

At the start of the third game, Gregoria appeared solid and was ahead by five points, 10-5. Nozomi then slowly caught up and started to move away after 13-13.

"I didn't perform at my best in today's match because in the third game, my opponent could get a lot of points from my mistakes. Overall I am not satisfied with today's performance," said Gregoria.

This result is revenge for Nozomi, who last week lost against Gregoria in the first round of the Japan Masters 2023. Gregoria then successfully won the tournament.

It was one of Nozomi's two defeats against Gregoria in the history of their five meetings. He also suffered another defeat this year at the Denmark Open.

Gregoria's failure meant that Indonesia no longer had any hope in the women's singles event. This 24-year-old badminton player is the only representative playing in the 2023 China Masters.