England’s Chris Adcock and Gabrielle Adcock survived a close call today, recovering from match point down to secure their place in the second round of the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2020.

The England duo trailed 13-16 in the third game against Takuro Hoki and Wakana Nagahara, with the Japanese edging ahead to match point. However, the Adcocks reeled off the last three points for a memorable 19-21 21-16 22-20 victory.

Compatriots Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith also enjoyed a first round win, thwarting a late first game charge by Russia’s Rodion Alimov/Alina Davletova, 21-17 21-10.

New Pair Ahmad & Rahayu Progress

It was a year ago that Tontowi Ahmad’s successful partnership with Liliyana Natsir came to an end with her retirement. Today Ahmad – after an underwhelming 2019 with Winny Oktawina Kandow – embarked on a fresh partnership with women’s doubles specialist Apriyani Rahayu and qualified to the main draw of the Indonesia Masters 2020.

The local pair held off Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh/Supissara Paewsampran 21-16 21-17 to make the first round, where they are expected to face a stiffer challenge, from Korea’s Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yujung.

Ahmad and Rahayu are yet to spend significant time training together.

“We are still adjusting to each other, it was still a bit awkward, but we learned little by little. Our communication was good, so it was easier to adapt,” Ahmad said.

“I know how her game is, I believe in individuals. So it wasn’t too complicated today; what’s important is to go through the experience.”

Rahayu, who is world No.8 in women’s doubles with Greysia Polii, acknowledged that the mixed would be a different challenge to women’s doubles.

“I am also still adjusting to Owi. Playing mixed doubles is different from women’s doubles. In women’s doubles, I usually play rally. But now I have to give a good ball to Owi. He helps a lot. I hope it will continue like this. I will focus on both my events, I was given the responsibility and have to take it.”

In men’s singles, Brice Leverdez and Hans-Kristian Vittinghus both won their second qualifying round matches by near-identical margins. Leverdez fought his way back from three match points down to upstage Sun Fei Xiang, 21-12 11-21 23-21, while Vittinghus saved one match point on his way to a 21-10 11-21 23-21 result over Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.

Other Results

• Belgium’s Lianne Tan qualified beating France’s Qi Xuefei 21-15 21-18. Tan faces Wang Zhi Yi in the opening round. Other women’s singles qualifiers included Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, Ruselli Hartawan and Zhang Yi Man.
• Germany’s Jones Ralfy Jansen/Peter Kaesbauer qualified with a thrilling win over Indonesia’s Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana, 21-23 22-20 21-17.

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