Indonesia loses 1-3, fails to advance to final

Indonesia was forced to abandon its efforts to win a second Sudirman Cup trophy after it lost to defending champion China 1-3 in the semifinals in Dongguan, China, on Saturday.

Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan put Indonesia in front after they beat archrivals Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng 21-16, 21-17, but Bellaetrix Mannuputty conceded her game due to injury.

She was leading 5-3 in the opening game when she injured her left knee, according to a media release from the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).

“This is bad luck for Bella and the team,” team chief Achmad Budiharto said.

China won the third tie through Chen Long, who defeated Jonatan Christie 21-10, 21-15.

The hosts wrapped up the encounter with makeshift pair Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang eking out a 17-21, 21-17, 21-15 win over Asian Games champions Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari.

It seemed Tang and Yu had been recently paired as part of the Chinese strategy to deal with Nitya and Greysia.

“We have played all the Chinese pairs at this tournament, except this one. That may be part of their strategy,” Greysia said.

The defeat buried Indonesia’s dream of a second trophy to add to its first trophy won in the inaugural tournament back home in 1989 when it beat South Korea 3-2 in the final.

Indonesia has since reached the final only times only to end up as runner-up in 1991, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2007.