Ami Afriatni
Denpasar:Jaya Raya Jakarta men’s team started its campaign at the Djarum Superliga 2015 in the Lila Bhuana sports hall in Denpasar, Bali, with a 5-0 rout of Hi-Qua Wima Surabaya on Monday.
With top national shuttlers in its ranks, including Tommy Sugiarto, Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido, Jaya Raya was simply too strong for the Surabaya side, who relied primarily on the skills of young, up-and-coming players.
“I’m satisfied with today’s [Monday] results, though we missed few sets. Our number one men’s doubles pair Hendra and Angga Pratama still needed some adjustments, but they have done well so far,” Jaya Raya team manager Sigit Pamungkas said after the match.
Tommy opened the floodgates in the tournament’s first men’s singles match when he beat Anthony Ginting, 21-18, 18-21, 21-12, while men’s double pair Hendra and Angga doubled the lead for Jaya Raya after defeating Ade Yusuf Santoso and Rizky Hidayat Ismail, 21-16, 16-21, 2113.
Thai import Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk sealed the victory for Jakarta when he secured a 21-15, 21-15 win over Rizky Antasari in the second men’s singles game.
Hong Kong addition Wei Nan and doubles pair Markis and Agripinna Putra Rahmanto completed the rout by trashing their respective opponents.
Jaya Raya will face USM Blibli in men’s Group B competition today.
Meanwhile, the Djarum Kudus women’s team marked its presence with a 4-1 victory over Granular of Thailand in its opening match.
Djarum got off to a shaky start when its first pair Vita Marissa and Shendy Puspa Irawati lost to Duanganong Aroonkesorn and Natcha Saengchote, 21-124, 21-12, in only 23 minutes.
But the Central Java side wasted no time and struck back, sweeping another four ties.
Dinar Dyah Ayustine posted the first point for Djarum with a 21-11, 21-17 win over Kuljira Khongdee, while Maria Febe Kusumastuti doubled the lead by beating Sarita Suwannakitborihan, 21-13, 21-18.
Doubles pair Jenna Gozali and Komala Dewi concluded the match for Djarum with a 18-21, 21-16, 21-17 win over Pataimas Muenwong and Chayanit Chaladchalam.
South Korean Sung Ji-hyun put the icing on the cake by clinching a 21-13, 21-14 win over Rusydina Antardayu Riodingin, giving Djarum a 4-1 victory.
Sung said she was proud to have helped her team win the match.
“I’ve known [about] Superliga for years and learned a lot about the tournament. I’ve always wanted to participate, but was not allowed to until now,” Sung said.
“That’s why I’m excited to be here and play with my Djarum teammates; I want to bring victory to the team.”
Jakarta Globe
