Marcus Gideon/Kevin Sukamuljo Secure Semifinal Spot At 2023 Thailand Open

Bangkok: In a thrilling match, Indonesia’s World No. 17 men’s doubles duo of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon secured their place in the semi-finals of the 2023 Thailand Open. They emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle against last week’s Malaysia Masters champions – Kang Min-Hyuk/Seo Seung-Jae from South Korea, with a final score of 17-21, 22-20, 21-18.

Highlights of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon vs. Kang Min-Hyuk/Seo Seung-Jae in the 2023 Thailand Open quarter-finals:

The quarter-final match, held on Friday afternoon, started off with a neck-and-neck competition. Gideon/Sukamuljo initially took an 8-4 lead, but their opponents quickly caught up, leveling the score at eight points each. Despite their efforts, the Minions found themselves trailing 9-11 during the interval of the first game.

Regrettably, Gideon/Sukamuljo lost their advantage as Kang/Seo managed to equalize at 13 points. The South Korean duo then pulled ahead of Gideon/Sukamuljo with seven consecutive points.

Although Gideon/Sukamuljo fought valiantly to regain the lead, they ultimately lost the first game of the 2023 Thailand Open quarter-finals, with a score of 17-21.

However, in the second game, Gideon/Sukamuljo made a strong comeback, quickly securing a 4-0 lead. Kang/Seo attempted to catch up, but the Minions maintained their advantage, leading 11-5 at the interval.

After the interval, Gideon/Sukamuljo faced a gradual reduction in their lead as their opponents leveled the score at 19. In a tense battle for points, the Minions managed to claim the second game with a score of 22-20, forcing the match into a third and decisive game.

In the final game, both pairs fiercely fought for points, launching relentless attacks. Gideon/Sukamuljo initially trailed 8-11 during the interval of the third game.

However, after the interval, Gideon/Sukamuljo displayed their tenacity, scoring four consecutive points to level the score at 12. In the end, the Minions emerged victorious with a score of 21-18, securing their spot in the semi-finals!

In the men’s singles category, Ng Tze Yong’s journey in the Thailand Open came to an end as he suffered a disappointing defeat against the eighth-seeded player from Hong Kong, Lee Cheuk Yiu, with a close score of 19-21, 21-23.

Although Ng Tze Yong had caused an upset in the tournament by defeating the top-seeded player from Taiwan, Chou Tien-Chen, with scores of 23-21, 23-21 in the previous round, he couldn’t maintain the momentum in his match at the Huamak Indoor Stadium.

Lee Cheuk Yiu’s victory marked his second win over Ng Tze Yong in their three encounters so far.

Another Malaysian men’s singles player, Leong Jun Hao, also bid farewell to the Thailand Open in the quarter-finals. Leong went down to Lakshya Sen of India 19-21, 11-21.