Thailand fought hard against defending champions Indonesia, powered by All-England champions Tontowi Ahmad/LiliyanaNatsir, but went down 3-1 in the US$1-million Axiata Cup mixed team badminton tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia yesterday.
The Thai squad captured pole position in the eight-team tournament with 13 points at the end of the first-round preliminaries last week, while Indonesia came into the tournament as the team to beat, having a fanatical home crowd behind them along with an impressive record in team tournaments.
In the first women's singles rubber yesterday, teen prodigy RatchanokIntanon, world No.8 and runner-up at this year's All-England and Swiss Open, silenced the cheering Indonesians with a wonderful display of hercourt craft to outplay LindaweniFanetriin straight games 21-17 21-19 and give Thailand an early lead.
Ratchanok's exceptional victory over last year's India Grand Prix Gold winner also stretched Thailand's commanding lead in the overall eight-team standings to 14 points, with Indonesia hot on their heels just two points behind.
However, things turned sour for the Thai camp moments later as World No.18 Tommy Sugiarto, runner-up at this year's German Open, proved his talent to put the hosts comeback on track.He was in smashing form in a tough match against world No 24 TanongsakSaensomboonsuk. Though playing with incredible speed and jump smashes, Tanongsakwas erratic at the net, allowing Sugiarto to counter-attack strongly and register a 21-17 21-14 victory.
With the tie level at 1-1, the hosts remained second in the overall standings, but only a point behind Thailand.
Up stepped All-England mixed doubles champions Tontowi Ahmad and LiliyanaNatsir for Indonesia. The world No 2 pairing, wholanded three major titles last year including the India Open and the Indonesia Open, performed brilliantly for a totally one-sided win over SudketPrapakamol and SaraleeThoungthongkam.
The London Olympics bronze medallists thrashed the Thai world No 6 comfortably 21-12 21-11 to put Indonesia in front 2-1 and draw level with Thailand atop the overall standings on 14 point apiece.
Indonesia then wasted no time in overtaking Thailandas world No.13 AnggaPratama and Ryan AgungSaputro, who finished runners-up at the last year's Chinese Taipei Open and Indonesia Open, crushed BoonsakPonsana and SongphonAnugritayawon 21-16 21-12.
Indonesia's straight-games win in the crucial men's doublesended the Thai challenge and their 3-1 victory was enough to take them back to the top of the standings with 15 points. Thailand dropped to second with 14 points.
"I'm still happy because the team performed well above expectations," said Thai team manager UdomLuangphetcharaporn. "Our target is first to make the semi-finals and then the final, and we hope to maintain our position in the top four this week."
Local ace and champion at last year's Singapore Open BoonsakPonsana, who is being tested as a doubles player, also commented on team's performance.
"It allowed Tanongsak to prove himself as a capable singles player, and improved my understanding in the partnership," he said.
In other ties yesterday, All-Star Asiabeat Vietnam 3-1, All-Star Europethrashed the Philippines 4-0 and Malaysia swept past Singapore 3-1. Malaysia are now tied on 14 points with Thailand, while Europe are fourth on 12, a point ahead of Asia.
Today, the penultimate day of the single round-robin preliminaries of the world's richest mixed team badminton tournament, Thailand will be pitted against All-Star Europe at 6.30pm Bangkok time, while hosts Indonesia face the Philippines, Singapore go up against All-Star Asia and Malaysia take on Vietnam.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/30/thai-shuttlers-lose-top-spot-to-indonesia/
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