Timy, Devota take second win
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Ni Putu Timy and Devota Rahawarin struggled to take their second win at the LA Menthol Indonesian Open Beach Volleyball Championship here on Friday.
Indonesia's No. 1 pair, winners in the preceding three legs in the series, were extended to three games in their 21-8, 19-21, 15-10 victory over Angel Bertha Kaize and Ninik Nuraida in the final of the four-leg Indonesia Open at the Senayan Plaza parking lot in central Jakarta.
The first match was lopsided with Timy and Devota completely commanding the offense against their opponents, according to Antara. Bertha and Ninik slowed down the tempo in the second game, which ended in their favor, before Timy and Devota regained their winning form in the third game.
Timy acknowledged they were caught out flat in the second game by the "slowing-down" tactics employed by Bertha and Ninik, runners-up in the third leg in Surabaya last month.
"But in the third game, we were back in the rhythm," Timy said.
Twenty-four pairings from seven countries are competing in the US$20,000 grand final of the Indonesia Open, which employs a double elimination format.
In the men's division, I Made S. and Arief Irawan continued their stunning performances with a 21-16, 17-21, 15-7 defeat of Jens Mitchel and Owen Bolaud of Australia.
The Indonesian pair, who hail from West Nusa Tenggara, upset top seeds Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo on the opening day.
"We were relaxed during the game as we had no fears about losing in this tournament. On the other hand, they were pushing for a win," I Made said.
"We are simply looking to play a good game. Don't talk about winning the tournament," he said.
Meanwhile, Agus and Koko bounced back from their shock defeat by trouncing Andri Suwandra and Eko Yuli 21-16, 21-13 in their second match.
Later in the day, the winners in Surabaya had to tackle Verayo Rhovil and Tupaz Parley of the Philippines for a possible push through to the next stage.
Semifinals will be played on Saturday with the final on Sunday.