Eliminating Defending Champion, Indonesian Women's Team to Uber Cup Final After 2008

The Indonesian women's team made a surprise by qualifying for the Uber Cup final. In the final, the challenge came from China.

HUMAS PP PBSI

Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi became the decisive factor in Indonesia's victory over South Korea, 3-2, in the Uber Cup semifinal match in Chengdu, China, on Saturday (4/5/2024). Komang defeated Kim Min-sun in the fifth game, bringing Indonesia to the final for the first time since 2008.

CHENGDU, SATURDAY - The surprising journey of the Indonesian women's badminton team in the Thomas and Uber Cup team championship continues. For the first time since 2008, Indonesia has qualified for the Uber Cup final.

In the semifinals at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, China, Saturday (4/5/2024), Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and friends eliminated defending champion South Korea with a score of 3- 2. Indonesia's opponent in the final which will take place on Sunday is host China, who won 3-0 over Japan.

The victory over South Korea is a continuation of the surprises given by the Indonesian women's team. Prior to facing South Korea, they defeated another strong team, Thailand, in the quarterfinals. The victory over Thailand was even achieved with a score of 3-0.

Also read: Indonesian Thomas and Uber Cup Teams Qualify Together for the Semifinals

After reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2010, the women's squad extended their journey after always being eliminated in the quarterfinals since 2012. The final will be the first one since the 2008 final in front of their own public at Istora, Jakarta. Just like this year's final, Indonesia will face China, but lost 0-3 back then.

Against South Korea, Gregoria opened Indonesia's victory after beating Sim Yu-jin, 21-15, 21-13, in 32 minutes. Sim is South Korea's number two women's singles player whose position replaced An Se-young during the semifinals. The world number one in women's singles, who is also the world champion, was absent due to illness since the quarter-finals.

HUMAS PP PBSI

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung contributed to Indonesia's first victory against South Korea in the Uber Cup semifinals. At the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in China on Saturday (May 4, 2024), Gregoria defeated Sim Yu-jin, 21-15, 21-13.

The situation provides a greater opportunity for Indonesia as An has dominated the women's singles competition since 2023. Out of a total of 23 championship titles from the BWF World Tour tournament, eight were won in 2023. In that year, the 22-year-old player outperformed her tough rivals, namely Akane Yamaguchi (Japan), Chen Yu Fei (China), and Tai Tzu Ying (Taiwan).

Although she suffered a defeat in the last meeting before competing in Chengdu, namely during the second round of the 2023 Korean Open, Gregoria was ahead in three other meetings with Sim. This advantage was once again shown in the opening match between Indonesia and South Korea.

Today, I prepared my courage because the player who came down from Korea was unexpected after An Se-young didn't compete. Earlier, I tried to be more relaxed and control my emotions because I didn't want to be too hot-headed.

Even though it can't be said as easy, Gregoria didn't face many difficulties in her match against Sim. The Indonesian player, ranked ninth in the world, won the first game in just 15 minutes. Throughout the match, Sim was only able to take the lead in score five times.

Also read: Beating Thailand, Indonesian Uber Cup Team Qualifies for Semifinals After 14 Years

"Today, I prepared my courage because the player who came down from Korea was unexpected after An Se-young didn't come down. Earlier, I tried to be more relaxed and control my emotions because I didn't want to be too enthusiastic. In the last meeting, I did lose to Sim, but I see an opportunity to score for Indonesia," said Gregoria.

In the women's doubles match played in the second match, the ability of the world number two pair South Korea, Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee, was still difficult to block Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti. The Indonesian pair ranked ninth in the world lost 6-21, 18-21. Apriyani made the match preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

HUMAS PP PBSI

Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti lost in the second game when Indonesia played against South Korea in the semi-finals of the Uber Cup. At the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, on Saturday (4/5/2024), Apriyani/Fadia lost to Lee So-hee/Baek Ha-na, 6-21, 18-21.

Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, who secured Indonesia's victory over Thailand, gave Indonesia the lead after defeating Kim Ga-ram, 20-22, 21-16, 21-12. This was Ester's fourth win in five matches since the group stage. The only defeat was against Aya Ohori when Indonesia lost 2-3 to Japan in the group phase.

The 19-year-old player was the only one who played in every game for Indonesia. In the last three games, including the semifinals, Ester always played three sets with a total time of 3 hours and 44 minutes. Despite this, the younger sister of men's singles player Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo did not lose the spirit to keep going, as shown after losing the first set against Kim.

Also read: Dividing the Focus of the Thomas-Uber Cup and the Olympics

To turn the situation around, Ester played more aggressively, one of which was by doing a body smash, namely a smash aimed at the opponent's body. Apart from that, the 2022 World Junior Championship bronze winner made Kim run more to return shots.

"After yesterday's long game, surely my physical condition was quite drained. However, because I have been entrusted, I have to fight to do my best," said Ester, who was assisted by a physiotherapist on the team to recover her physical condition.

For every Indonesian player who contributes to the victory, the team in the stands says thank you with a song accompanied by the sound of drums and small trumpets. For example, Ester receives a song, "Thank you, Ester Wardoyo. Thank you, Ester Wardoyo!"

HUMAS PP PBSI

A 19-year-old player, Ester Nurui Tri Wardoyo, once again contributed to Indonesia's victory in the Uber Cup championship at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium. Ester defeated Kim Ga-ram, 20-22, 21-16, 21-12, and gave Indonesia a 2-1 lead.

After a balanced position of 2-2 due to Lanny Tria Mayasari / Ribka Sugiarto's defeat to the makeshift couple of Jeong Na-eun / Kong Hee-yoong, the fate of both teams was determined through women's singles in the fifth match. Indonesia relied on Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, while South Korea put their hopes on 18-year-old player, Kim Min-sun.

Kim is a junior-level player ranked 45th in the world who recently played at the senior level in the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup. Despite being young and playing in a crucial match, Kim played well.

Also read: Fighting Like a Final

The last game presented tension for both teams as it lasted until the third set. Moreover, the point competition between the two players was quite tight. Every time Komang pulled away, Kim could get closer.

When Komang got match point at a score of 20-16, for example, Kim narrowed the difference to 20-19. Komang's smash towards Kim's body on the second shot after serving finally ensured the Indonesian women's team went to the final.

Ester, Apriyani, Gregoria, and all the players ran to Komang whose expression remained calm, while his colleagues were happy and crying. In the circle, former women's doubles player Shendy Puspa Irawati, a member of the PP PBSI ad hoc team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, led her younger siblings to stay enthusiastic.

ANTARA/GALIH PRADIPTA

The Indonesian women's badminton team celebrated their victory after defeating South Korea in the semi-finals of the 2024 Uber Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Saturday (4/5/2024). The Indonesian women's badminton team advanced to the final after defeating South Korea by a score of 3-2 and will face China.

In the other semifinal, the home team defeated Japan in three consecutive sets. Like South Korea, Japan did not have their best singles player, Akane Yamaguchi. The world's fourth-ranked player did not even play since the quarterfinals when Japan beat India, 3-0.

Tight resistance was only given by Japan in the second match through the All England finalists, Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida, against the world's number one women’s doubles pair, Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan. Chen/Jia won 14-21, 21-13, 23-21, while their two teammates, Chen Yu Fei and He Bing Jiao, won two games.

The match against Indonesia on Sunday will be China's 20th final in the Uber Cup, out of 21 participations since 1984. China's only failure to reach the final occurred in Bangkok, Thailand in 2018, when they were eliminated by the host team with a score of 2-3 in the semifinals.

Two semi-final matches of the Thomas Cup will start at 4:00 PM West Indonesia Time, between China and Malaysia and Indonesia against Taiwan. Indonesia will field Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie, and Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in the singles category, while relying on Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin in the doubles to face off against Chou Tien Chen and his teammates.

Uber Cup Semifinal Results

Gregoria Mariska Tunjung – Sim Yu-jin 21-15, 21-13

Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti – Lee So-hee/Baek Ha-na 6-21, 18-21

Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo – Kim Ga-ram 20-22, 21-16, 21-12

Lanny Tria Mayasari/Ribka Sugiarto – Jeong Na-eun/Kong Hee-yong 15-21, 14-21

Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi – Kim Min-sun 17-21, 21-16, 21-19

Chen Yu Fei – Aya Ohori 18-21, 15-21

Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan – Nami Matsuyaa/Chiharu Shida 14-21, 21-13, 23-21

He Bing Jiao – Nozomi Okuhara 8-21, 21-18

Liu Sheng Shu/Zhang Shu Xian – Rena Miyaura/Ayako Sakuramoto (not played)

Han Yue – Tomoka Miyazaki (not played)