KUCHING: Malaysia’s Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting produced one of the biggest upsets of their young careers after battling past Japan’s world No. 17 pair Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe to reach the second round of the Indonesia Open today.
The national shuttlers recovered from a game down to secure a hard-fought 15-21, 21-9, 21-19 victory in a pulsating opening-round encounter at the iconic Istora Senayan.
Xin Yee and Carmen endured a difficult start as the Japanese pair dictated proceedings in the opening game through disciplined play and attacking precision.
Despite showing flashes of aggression through powerful drives and quick exchanges at the net, the Malaysians struggled to contain the Japanese attack and eventually conceded the first set 15-21.
Facing the prospect of an early exit, Xin Yee and Carmen returned with renewed intensity in the second game.
Displaying greater urgency and attacking intent, the Malaysian pair repeatedly pierced the Japanese defence with sharp cross-court winners and powerful smashes.
The sustained pressure left Osawa and Tanabe scrambling for answers as Xin Yee and Carmen stormed to a commanding 21-9 victory to force a deciding set.
With a place in the second round hanging in the balance, the contest quickly developed into an Istora thriller.
Neither pair was willing to yield as attacks, counter-attacks and lung-bursting pursuits became the hallmark of the decider.
The intensity continued to rise with every rally, leaving little room to breathe as both pairs searched for the breakthrough that could tilt the momentum in their favour.
Minutes of relentless attacking and defending had taken their toll, yet neither side was prepared to blink first.
The battle showed no signs of easing as Xin Yee and Carmen dug deep through wave after wave of attacks, eventually pulling level at 17-17 in a decider that had the Istora crowd on edge.
With momentum swinging from one end of the court to the other, the young Malaysians continued to match the higher-ranked Japanese pair point for point as the match entered its decisive moments.
Just when the contest appeared destined for a nail-biting finish, Xin Yee and Carmen found another gear.
Drawing on every ounce of energy left in the tank, the Malaysians strung together a crucial run of points to move within touching distance of victory.
The breakthrough handed the pair a 20-18 advantage, leaving them one point away from completing a stunning comeback after dropping the opening set.
Although the Japanese pair saved one match point, Xin Yee and Carmen held firm to seal a 21-19 victory and complete a memorable comeback in Jakarta.
The win sends the Malaysians into the second round of the Super 1000 tournament.
