I believe PBSI didn't know about this tournament. Cost wise and exposure wise, all players and pairs should be compete in this tournament right after INDIA GP, especially for pratama.
As expected, Alamsyah Yunus and Tommy Sugiarto cruise to the QF without any fuss. However, Arif Ramadhan also progresses. In the WS, the top-seed Fransiska Ratnasari, Ana Rovita, and Febby Angguni also qualify for QF. In the MD, I will expect Yoga Ukikasah/Joko Riyadi to progress to QF as well.
But Riyanto Subagja and Shesar Hiren Rhustavito lost quite easy (albeit to seeded experienced player). Tommy Sugiarto at their ages I think did a bit better.
Surprisingly, Tommy Sugiarto defeated M Arif Abdul Latif from MAS very easy. Meanwhile, the lost of Maria Elfira to relatively unknown IND player showed Sirnas standard at WS department is low. Maria Elfira is Sirnas queen, reach many Final and won some. And Hanna Ramadhini also lost to unknown IND WS. Andre Marteen lost to Sourabh Verma is also disappointing. Although Andree Marten is not the strongest of INA youngster MS, but he is around for some Sirnas and with reasonable result (some SF). This, again showing Sirnas that standard should be improved.
In WS quarterfinals, clash between INA >< IND player. The upset so far considering seeded position, second seed THA Nitchaon Jindapol lost to local hope PC Thulasi yesterday.
After this tourney, it might be surprising to some but Alamsyah Yunus will be ranked ABOVE Simon Santoso and Sony Dwi Kuncoro; and achieves his best ever ranking so far. Meanwhile, Tommy Sugiarto will be in the top 50.
Ana Rovita lost, Febby Angguni also lost. So, 3 Djarum girls are down to IND WS. But Ana and Febby need more tournament exposure.
Joko Riyadi/Yoga Ukikasah have a good chance of winning their first title as a pair as well. Meanwhile, Alamsyah Yunus and Tommy Sugiarto will be fighting for an all-INA Final on Christmas Day. Fransiska Ratnasari has a tough match against Trupti Murgunde and if she wins, she will face another Indian player tomorrow. I hope the INA players can win 2 titles yet again this week.
Yoga was Yoke's partner when they were in Pratama... =) Yoga came from Taufik's club, SGS Bandung. He is a strong attacker, but has many other technical weaknesses... So, the National Team dropped him around 4 years ago...
2010 India International Challenge (Dec 21-25) . You could be right, but I think Alamsyah will win. BTW, Sandy said that the tournament would finish on Sunday 26-Dec-2010; Actually, it finishes on Saturday 25-Dec-2010. .
So, for third layer of MS competition, Alamsyah and Tommy are quite reliable. And applicable also for Nana at WS.