Korea Masters 2023: Only One Indonesian Representative To The Quarter Finals

Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Rahmat Hidayat appeared in the second round of the Korea Masters 2023 (photo: Doc. PBSI)

JAKARTA Indonesia is certain to have only one representative who stepped into the quarter-finals of the Korea Masters 2023 from five representatives who fought in the second half.

This is after the men's doubles Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Rahmat Hidayat ended in rubber games 21-14, 21-23, and 16-21 in the hands of the Chinese Taipei pair, Lee Jhe-Huei/Yang Po-Hsuan, Thursday, November 9, 2023.

"It's a shame that in the second game, we couldn't finish it. We at the critical point are not looking for reason, we are not varied, the game is too monotonous. This is a lesson for us to come forward," Kevin said.

"We still have a lot to improve if we want to at least compete at the top 10. We will try again in the next tournament," he added.

Apart from Kevin/Rahmat, the men's singles failure was also experienced by Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, the women's singles Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, and the mixed doubles Adnan Maulana/Nita Violina Marwah.

Shesar gave up two straight games against fifth seed Chinese Taipei Wang Tzu Wei. This is Shesar's first defeat against Wang after his previous two meetings he always won.

"I haven't seen Wang Tzu Wei for a long time, my victory in the previous two meetings took place in 2011 and 2015 so I can't be used as a benchmark," said Shesar.

Next is Komang who surrendered in the hands of Thai women's singles Pornpicha Choeikeewong. This is Komang's second defeat after he also gave up at their first meeting at the 2022 Denmark Masters.

Lastly, Adnan/Nita lost against the first seed host Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yu Jung. Indonesian representatives were forced to lose in two straight games.

Meanwhile, one ticket for the quarter-finals that Indonesia got was from the women's singles Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo. He qualified after stopping Lin Sih Yun in two straight games.

Ester continued to meet Pornpicha, who stopped Komang. This could be Ester's chance to avenge her colleague's defeat.