With the Round of 16 in full swing at the KAPAL API GROUP Indonesia Open 2023, the world's top players are clashing for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
In a close match, Spaniard Carolina Marin celebrated her birthday in style, securing a hard-fought victory against Singapore's Yeo Jia Min, 26-24 23-21. Speaking about her win, Marin said: “I’m not really happy with my performance. I think I was more focused on the score than on my game plan. If I don’t keep the focus, then my opponent can do anything. It’s also a bit difficult with the drift in this stadium.”
Another noteworthy match from our Europeans witnessed Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund win against Indonesia's Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, setting up an electrifying clash in the quarterfinals against current world number ones and top seeds Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, China.
Meanwhile, Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek faced Korea's Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung, this year's All England runner-ups, in a bid to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Having previously met twice this year, the Dutch pair emerged triumphant 21-17 21-17. Reflecting on their remarkable win, Tabeling said: “I think ‘good win’ would be a small way to describe it. I think we just beat a really solid couple. We are extremely happy with it.”
“The key was to move forward, take control of the net. I think we executed it very well. I have to say that luck was also on our side today, we hit some net rollers which helped us grow in confidence. You could see them struggling. I think we just played really well today,” Piek added about theirs and their opponents’ performance today.
Viktor Axelsen was also among those winning today. The Dane faced Chinese Taipei's Wang Tzu Wei, winning 21-8 21-13. With the Round of 16 continuing, the stage is set for more gripping encounters. Toma Junior Popov, Kirsty Gilmour, and Yvonne Li are among the European contenders set to take the court.
Check all of today’s results so far
here.