Jakarta: Last week’s Malaysia Open runner-up Kento Momota of Japan stormed back from 5-12, 7-13 in the first set to book his place in the Indonesia Open final as he dispatched Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei in straight-sets at the Istora Senayan, Jakarta on Saturday.
The Malaysian maestro who beat Momota in the Malaysia Open final last Sunday, lost to the Japanese star 21-12, 12-21 in a 52 minutes battle. Momota will next face Viktor Axelsen of Denmark as the Japanese is bidding for his second Indonesia Open men’s singles crown.
Viktor Axelsen, on the other hand, made a sluggish start out but rallied back to outlast World No. 3 Shi Yuqi of China 18-21, 21-14 and 21-11 in the other men’s singles semi-final.
“It’s a dream come true for me to be able to play in the Indonesia Open final,” said Axelsen.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying will set up a rematch of the Rio Olympic final against Indonesians Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir in the Indonesia Open final.
Chan/Goh produced a brilliant performance to see off No. 4 seeds Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong of China, winning 21-18, 21-16 in the semi-final clash.
“We have great respect for Tontowi and Liliyana. They are the world’s best mixed doubles pair,” said Chan.
The Malaysian mixed doubles pair lost to Ahmad/Natsir 14-21, 12-21 in the 2016 Olympic Games final.
In the men’s doubles competition, No. 1 seed Marcus Fernando Gideon/Kevin Sanjay Sukamuljo of Indonesia eased pasts compatriots Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto 21-13, 21-10 in the semi-finals, to set up a final showdown with No. 7 seeds Takuto Inoue/Yuki Kaneko of Japan.
