Australian Open 2023: Qualifying For Round Of 16, Apri/Fadia Must Be More Focused And Consistent

The pair Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti. (Photo: Twitter @INABadminton)

JAKARTA Indonesian women's doubles, Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, stepped into the second round of the Australian Open 2023, Tuesday, July 1. The seventh seed extended their steps after stopping the Korean pair, Lee Yu Lim/Shin Seung Chan, two straight games 24-22 and 21-15 at the Quay Center, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney.

"This result certainly adds to our confidence in facing the match ahead. However, we must be more consistent and focused every time we compete," said Fadia after the match.

In the second round, the pair who won the 2022 SEA Games gold medal will face the winner from Setyana Mapasa/Angela Yu against the Japanese pair, Rui Hirokami/Yuna Kato.

"Whoever the opponent will be, we have to be better prepared. I have to be more consistent in competing. I have to prepare a good mindset. I also have to be ready to be tired," said Fadia.

Apart from Apri/Fadia, the women's doubles Febriana Dwi Puji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi also advanced to the second half. They qualified after defeating Tanisha Crasto/Ashwini Ponnappa (India).

In the second round, Febriana/Amalia will face the Japanese pair, Rena Miyaura/Ayako Sakuramoto, who escaped after stopping Paula Lynn/Lauren Lam.

Last year Febriana/Amalia also faced the Japanese pair, but they gave up two straight games at the time. It was one of the two defeats they have suffered, including this year at the Swiss Open.

"To fight the Japanese representatives in the second half, we have to be able to play even more prepared. We want to avenge last year's defeat," said Amalia.

The men's doubles Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin also managed to secure a second half ticket after stopping Rizky Hidayat/Frengky Wijaya from strengthening Australia.

In total, Indonesia has secured five tickets for the last 16 of the BWF Super 500 event. The other two tickets were pocketed by Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan.

Meanwhile, the men's doubles Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani had to go home early from the tournament. They gave up 19-21, 16-21 from Akira Koga/Taichi Saito from Japan in a 39-minute match.