Qualifying round?? Are u kidding me? They are ranked 20th now...more than enough to make the main draw of the SS. Not to mention that some of the top pairs are missing from both events. Even Fran Kurniawan/Rendra Wijaya (ranked 40th) and Bona Septano/Mohd Ahsan (ranked 52th) are pretty much confirmed of a main draw spot in the Djarum Indonesia SS.
I hope Rian-Yoke can get pass Jens-Martin and the MAS pair in Singapore Open SS... what a tough road...
I think it is about time youngsters like Rian-Yoke should defeat the old lions like Jens-Martin in SIN SS 2008 and Tony-Candra in INA SS 2008... But we know the old lions will not give up either...
Singapore Open 2008: Rian-Yoke defeated Jens-Martin for the 1st time! 21-19, 17-21, 23-21!!!! I heard Yoke was nervous at 20-19 [or something] in game 3 and threw away his serve... but, later on, at 21-21 [or something], Jens was also nervous and smashed his own partner...
Three tournament gone and Rian/Yoke had nothing great to show. They can't measure up against GP level opponent. Sad but true. From the statistic in the last three tournaments, they would win the hard way (3 sets) and lose easily in 2 sets under 30 minutes. Is it the lack of skill ?. Maybe not. It is more the match intelligent that they are lacking. They always go for speed and power games, that explained the easy losses againt pairs that can weather their smashes. And they seems to be losing the confident once they lost the fist set, this can be seen from the easier lost in the next set. Here are some message for them and the coaches, 1. Add variety to your games, work on defense, slow down the games when fast game doesn't' work. The longer the game, the more time you have to analyze the opponent and devise the new strategy. Don't be one trick pony! 2. Fitness!. You can't win matches on talent alone nowadays. 90% hard work, 10% talent is the formula to win. This advise applies to Rendra/Frans too.
Back after another few days of absence. Nothing great is perhaps an understatement. They did beat Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen, although I am quite disappointed that they lost to their junior Rizky/Albert in the Indonesia Open. The other disappointment was that easy routine loss to Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen in the Thailand Open. Obviously, they will need to step a gear to match up to World Class opponents, which I mean top 10-15 pairs. Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan had that same route in 2005 and 2006; when they exited at early rounds. Once u beat a top opponent, it will increase your confidence and naturally, the titles at higher level tourneys will come your way.
