Jonatan won the battle with the Danish player, Rasmus Gemke through a two-set match of 21-17 and 24-22 in the match that was held in Istora Senayan, Jakarta on Tuesday (16/7). Jonatan almost lost the second set when the score stood at 18-20.
“Thank god I made it past the first round with a hard work, as the opponent’s performance was very good. I often fall short when collecting points, especially when the score was 18-20,” said Jonatan Christie.
“There were few notes taken, firstly the wind was strong and the shuttlecock was a bit heavy but maybe the wind makes it as if it is heavy. My focus was not on the wind or on how my opponent played, but my focus was on how to get out of the pressure,” he added.
On the other hand, playing the game calmly was thought to be Jonatan’s key to win today’s game. “I played more calmly during setting,” he said.
In the second round of Blibli Indonesia Open 2019 BWF World Tour Super 1000, Jonatan will face yet another Danish player, Hans Kristian Vitthingus. “Vittinghus has a lot more experience than I do and he is very resilient. His defense is also tight. What matters for me now is the support from the supporters, I hope the result is as expected,” Jonatan added.
On the other hand, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting made it past the first round after playing a three-set match of 20-22, 23-21 and 21-18 with the Chinese player, Lu Guangzu. “Since the beginning the match has already been tight, but I was not able to make use of the opportunities during the first set. On the second set, I was leading but the set goes on to setting; in the end thank god I could win the game. On the rubber set, Lu played was a bit patient,” said Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.
“I actually have anticipated the opponent. With him playing in a tournament of this level, I knew there is something special from him and he is the successor of the Chinese Men’s Singles golden era. He is very resilient and did not make much unforced errors and it certainly was not easy to steal points from him. I was ready to get weary and face difficulty when playing against him,” he added.
In the next round, Anthony will play against the Thai Men’s Singles player, Kantaphon Wangcharoen. Anthony claims that Wangcharoen is typically a hard worker, he always get the ball wherever the ball goes in court. Anthony has prepared himself to not rush stealing points from the opponent.
