Indonesia trailed 0-2 to India in the final Thomas Cup 2022 after Mohammad Ahsan/Kevin Sanjaya were beaten by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty in the second match.
After Anthony Ginting lost in the first match, Ahsan/Kevin also lost a three-game duel against Rankireddy/Shetty at Impact Arena, Bangkok, Sunday (15/5).
Ahsan/Kevin’s excellent defense is key early in the first game. Rankireddy/Shetty also showed an impressive game that made Ahsan/Kevin trouble.
Ahsan/Kevin managed to gain an 11-9 advantage at the interval. After that the viral couple called Kebabs drifted away until 16-10, but Rankireddy/Shetty were able to get up.
The first game was even more tense when Rankireddy/Shetty were able to approach 18-19. But Ahsan/Kevin showed a better experience by winning 21-18 in the first game at crucial moments after Rankireddy/Shetty made a mistake.
In the second game Ahsan/Kevin showed extraordinary mentality. Had been left behind by 7-12, Ahsan / Kevin managed to turn things around in position 15-14. Ahsan/Kevin’s turning point occurred when they managed to reach five consecutive points in 11-12 position.
Rankireddy/Shetty had risen in 17-19 position after winning three consecutive points. But Kevin/Ahsan then able to be in position match point 20-17.
The match grew tense when India’s men’s doubles equalized 20-20 and forced deuce. Rankireddy/Shetty finally won the second game 23-21.
Ahsan/Kevin seemed to lose touch at the beginning of the third game. Rankireddy/Shetty had a 9-6 lead and took the lead at the 11-9 interval. But Ahsan/Kevin were able to get up and turn to be ahead 14-11 after winning five points in a row.
But Ahsan / Kevin threw away the opportunity to win in this second match. Having excelled in the 16-13 position, Ahsan/Kevin failed to maintain consistency in the game and lost 19-21 in the second game. India also leads 2-0 in the 2022 Thomas Cup final.
In the third match of the final of the Thomas Cup 2022, Indonesian men’s singles Jonatan Christie will face Srikanth Kidambi.
The line-up of Indonesia vs India in the Thomas Cup Final:
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting vs Lakshya Sen 21-8 17-21 16-21
Mohammad Ahsan / Kevin Sanjaya vs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty
Jonatan Christie vs Srikanth Kidambi
Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto vs MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila
Shesar Hiren Rhustavito vs Prannoy HS
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