Birmingham –
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung managed to beat Line Kjaersfeldt 15-21, 21-12, 22-20 in the first round All England 2023. Indonesia’s best women’s singles locked in victory after competing for 64 minutes.
Playing at Utilita Arena Birmingham, Tuesday (14/3) evening WIB, Gregoria had put up a fight against Kjaersfeldt to draw level 5-5, but Kjaersfeldt then managed to move away slowly.
He won 7-5, then closed the interval with a score of 11-9. From here, Gregoria had a hard time catching up. The points gap widened to 9-13, then 12-16. Having reduced the distance to 14-16, Kjaersfeldt then added four consecutive points to 20-14.
Gregoria managed to add one point to make it 15-20, but Kjaersfeldt managed to lock in the first game with a 21-15 victory after Gregoria’s bouncing shot fell off the court.
In the second game, Gregoria didn’t make as many mistakes as before. He appeared neat and did not give Kjaersfeldt the opportunity to develop his game. Winning 11-6 at the interval, Gregoria then closed the second game with a score of 21-12.
In the third game, the match was even more fierce. Gregoria led 4-0 at the start, but Kjaersfeldt managed to close the interval with a score of 11-10. Gregoria turned to lead 16-14, but Kjaersfeldt managed to equalize 16-16.
Gregoria’s outstretched shot put Kjaersfeldt up 17-16. One hit from Kjaersfeldt made the lead increase to 18-16. However, Gregoria continued to chase and won two consecutive points, bringing the score back to a 18-18 draw.
A Gregoria cross that came out on the left put Kjaersfeldt back up 19-18. The score turned 20-18 to Kjaersfeldt after another cross from Gregoria came out on the right.
Gregoria never gave up and dramatically won two consecutive points, forcing a 20-20 draw. In the deuce phase, Gregoria appeared calmer and won 22-20.
With this victory, Gregoria stepped into the last 16 to face Thailand’s representative, Lalinrat Chaiwan, who previously won 21-16, 21-17 over his compatriot, Ratchanok Intanon.
Mixed doubles also won Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati who beat Jones Jansen/Linda Efler (Germany) with a score of 21-19, 21-16. Next, they will meet Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue (France).
In another fight, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito fell 9-21, 12-21 to Ng Tze Yong (Malaysia).
(adp/rin)
