Jakarta: Indonesia’s best men’s doubles pair, World No. 1 pair Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo were forced to pull out from the French Open Super Series which will take place in Paris from October 24 to October 29.
Sukamuljo/Gideon chose to skip the French Open after Gideon suffered a right shoulder injury the Denmark Open semi-finals when they were playing against compatriot Ricky Karandasuwardi/Angga Pratama. The injury made them failed reach their optimal levels of performance against Chinese pair Liu Cheng/Zhang Nan in the final.
The decision to pull out from French Open was confirmed by their coach Aryono Miranat.
“Kevin/Marcus are not able to play in the 2017 French Open, they won’t be able to give their best under the current situation. Therefore, it’s better to skip that tournament,” said Aryono Miranat as quoted on the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) web site.
“Fortunately the injury on the right shoulder was not too severe. It just felt like a little aching if he started smashing. But we should pull out from the tournament to avoid aggravating his injury, ” Miranat added.
Actually, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon is no stranger to the French Open. He has won the 2013 French Open together with Markis Kido, defeating Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong 21-16, 21-18 in the final.
With the absence of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Indonesia will rely on Angga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwardi and Mohammad Ahsan/ Rian Agung Saputro in the men’s doubles event.
The Rio Olympic champion Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir and Praveen Jordan/Debby Susanto will represent Indonesia in mixed doubles.
Indonesian players who participated in the Denmark Open will leave for Paris on Monday (Oct 23rd), while players who depart from Jakarta have arrived in Paris on Sunday (Oct 22nd).
