Indonesia rules SMART Badminton Asia

MANILA, Philippines — Indonesia overcame a feisty Malaysia, 3-1, to claim top honors in the men’s side of the 2020 Smart Badminton Asia Manila Team Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Sunday.

Mohammad Ahsan and Fajar Alfian overcame Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, 21-18, 21-17, in the second doubles to seal the title for the Indonesians,  who nailed a spot to this year’s Thomas & Uber Cup while earning qualifying points to the Tokyo Olympics this July.

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who is ranked fifth by the Badminton World Federation, opened things up for Indonesia by trouncing reigning Southeast Asian Games singles gold medalist Lee Zii Jia, 22-20, 21-16, in the first singles.

World No. 1 Marcus Fernandi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo then edged SEAG champion Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, 22-20, 21-16, in the first doubles to seize a commanding 2-0 match lead.

But just as the Indonesians were starting to celebrate, Cheam June Wei pulled the rug from under World No. 7 Jonatan Christie, 21-16, 17-21, 24-22, to keep the Malaysians alive.

Ahsan and Alfian then finished off Ong and Teo to seal the win for Indonesia in this event backed by Smart Communciations Inc., Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., Cignal and TV5.